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Breathe: A 1918 Young Adult Historical Romance
After being pressed into service as a nurse, seventeen-year-old Virginia discovers her innate talent, begins a clandestine romance with her father's Italian assistant, and learns what it truly means to be a modern woman during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. "Don’t miss BREATHE! Fujimura brilliantly weaves together a love story and a coming of age tale, amid the shifting post-war world. 1918 comes alive for readers in this beautifully told account of a doctor’s teenage daughter fighting to save herself, her family, and her friends during the Spanish flu epidemic—an epidemic that took more American lives than both world wars combined. Vividly told, exquisitely researched, and not to be missed." ~Kathleen Baldwin, award-winning author of REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS, EXILE FOR DREAMERS, and A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS "BREATHE intricately weaves the seriousness of the Spanish Flu/WWI and the hopefulness of women on the cusp of having their right to vote recognized with the exhilaration of falling in love and following your dream into a tapestry of events that influences headstrong seventeen-year-old Ginny's future. You will root for her all the way!" ~Kathleen Burkinshaw, award-winning author of THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 5, 2020
It feels apropos to be reviewing this book during the Covid-19 pandemic (even though I read it long before the disease came to the US), as it’s set during the 1918 influenza epidemic that killed 675,000 people in the US and infected 50 million worldwide, one third of the total world population.
As the story opens, seventeen-year-old Virginia Jackson is up in a tree, her favorite hiding place. She remains hidden when her physician father’s Cadillac pulls into the drive, but his chauffeur, Marco, knows she’s there.
Later, while dressing for her debut party, Ginny isn’t feeling well, though she doesn’t intend to let a little headache and fever spoil her evening. However, as she begins her first dance with Everett, her pompous escort, the room sways and she crashes to the floor, a victim of the first wave of a mysterious illness sweeping the world.
While Ginny is quarantined and recovering, her father is shorthanded, because his nurse, Cecelia, has joined the Army Nurse Corps to help heal the soldiers fighting in the Great War. Marco dreams of being a doctor and wants very much to be Dr. Jackson’s assistant, but no one sees the Italian immigrant as capable of being anything other than a servant. So Ginny agrees to assist her father, since she also wants to be a doctor someday.
Some of Dr. Jackson’s patients live in Devil’s Pocket, a section of Philadelphia inhabited by Irish immigrants, characterized by poverty, and as such, a hot spot of infection. There Ginny witnesses severe human suffering.
Virginia’s older sister, Kit, is studying journalism, and is working with the suffragists to win women the right to vote, an idea their mother thinks is disreputable.
While Dr. Jackson is away helping a colleague, his new nurse, Nurse Brighton, refuses to care for his patients in Devil’s Pocket, so Ginny and Marco fill in, triggering gossip.
They also realize they care for each other, which is awkward, since Ginny’s parents would never approve. And Everett Winthrop III is eager to court her. And because Marco has a complicated relationship with another young woman.
Seventeen-year-old Ginny suffers heartbreak that no one should have to bear—just like the hundreds of thousands of people in our time who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Ginny’s story parallels ours in many ways.
Fujimura’s vivid descriptions capture the flavor of Philadelphia a hundred years ago. She deftly weaves the tumult of the era (World War I, the fight for the right of women to vote) into the story as well as the horror of the influenza epidemic. Fujimura has a public health background; her expertise shows in her depiction of the illnesses Virginia encounters.
As the story opens, seventeen-year-old Virginia Jackson is up in a tree, her favorite hiding place. She remains hidden when her physician father’s Cadillac pulls into the drive, but his chauffeur, Marco, knows she’s there.
Later, while dressing for her debut party, Ginny isn’t feeling well, though she doesn’t intend to let a little headache and fever spoil her evening. However, as she begins her first dance with Everett, her pompous escort, the room sways and she crashes to the floor, a victim of the first wave of a mysterious illness sweeping the world.
While Ginny is quarantined and recovering, her father is shorthanded, because his nurse, Cecelia, has joined the Army Nurse Corps to help heal the soldiers fighting in the Great War. Marco dreams of being a doctor and wants very much to be Dr. Jackson’s assistant, but no one sees the Italian immigrant as capable of being anything other than a servant. So Ginny agrees to assist her father, since she also wants to be a doctor someday.
Some of Dr. Jackson’s patients live in Devil’s Pocket, a section of Philadelphia inhabited by Irish immigrants, characterized by poverty, and as such, a hot spot of infection. There Ginny witnesses severe human suffering.
Virginia’s older sister, Kit, is studying journalism, and is working with the suffragists to win women the right to vote, an idea their mother thinks is disreputable.
While Dr. Jackson is away helping a colleague, his new nurse, Nurse Brighton, refuses to care for his patients in Devil’s Pocket, so Ginny and Marco fill in, triggering gossip.
They also realize they care for each other, which is awkward, since Ginny’s parents would never approve. And Everett Winthrop III is eager to court her. And because Marco has a complicated relationship with another young woman.
Seventeen-year-old Ginny suffers heartbreak that no one should have to bear—just like the hundreds of thousands of people in our time who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Ginny’s story parallels ours in many ways.
Fujimura’s vivid descriptions capture the flavor of Philadelphia a hundred years ago. She deftly weaves the tumult of the era (World War I, the fight for the right of women to vote) into the story as well as the horror of the influenza epidemic. Fujimura has a public health background; her expertise shows in her depiction of the illnesses Virginia encounters.
March 22, 2019
I really enjoyed BREATHE. I loved Ginny's strength and spunk!! I also learned more about the Spanish flu, and love that it had the issue of women's suffrage in it as well. It really showed that the damage of war, the Spanish flu, as well as the joy of love is blind to one's place in society.Also the last scene with Kit and Ginny,my heart hurt and tears....it was beautifully written.
Favorite lines:
"All eyes are on me. All the people who have been a part of my life for years and yet know nothing about me. Except for one(Kit)."
"But something tugs at me. Daddy didn't have to choose between being a doctor or husband. Why do women have to choose one or the other?"
"The poisonous viper curls back up in my stomach before it makes its second strike."
"You don't have to wave around your birth certificate to prove how American you are. Why should I?.."And I shouldn't have to fight to be a surgeon or to vote."
"The heat from my index finger continues to travel down my arm and into the pit of my stomach." Her sense of humor when sees backside of Marco.
"Yet this example is completely fascinating. Scientifically speaking of course." :)
"And as always Katherine Eleanor Jackson had the last word." ..."I so wanted to be a close family, but not like this."
Favorite lines:
"All eyes are on me. All the people who have been a part of my life for years and yet know nothing about me. Except for one(Kit)."
"But something tugs at me. Daddy didn't have to choose between being a doctor or husband. Why do women have to choose one or the other?"
"The poisonous viper curls back up in my stomach before it makes its second strike."
"You don't have to wave around your birth certificate to prove how American you are. Why should I?.."And I shouldn't have to fight to be a surgeon or to vote."
"The heat from my index finger continues to travel down my arm and into the pit of my stomach." Her sense of humor when sees backside of Marco.
"Yet this example is completely fascinating. Scientifically speaking of course." :)
"And as always Katherine Eleanor Jackson had the last word." ..."I so wanted to be a close family, but not like this."
October 12, 2018
This book broke me... taped me back together again... and then ripped me apart again. The characters are written so realistically that you feel as though you are truly the main character interacting with the rest of the cast of characters. Marco plays with YOUR heart and influenza scares YOU. As this is a book about nursing and the Spanish Influenza, there will be deaths- I don't think that is a spoiler since it comes with the profession of nursing- but some of the deaths really stuck a knife into my heart. The story was very well written and original, making it an absolute joy to read. It was obvious that the author has extensive knowledge of the sickness discussed and the cures and effects of it and the background of the story was very well researched. The amount of historical fact, romance, and action were all perfectly balanced as well. I was scared that once the romance started it would take over the book, but it did not and that just put the cherry on top of the altogether gorgeous story. I was not expecting to give this 5 stars, but it deserves every fraction of them.
February 12, 2019
Ms Fujumura did a nice job of bringing her characters alive in the writing of this YA historical novel. It’s amazing to think it was only about 100 years ago that women did not have the right to vote or pursue occupations of their choice. Kit and Jenny were bold, forward thinking young ladies determined to stand up for what they believed and follow the course of action each felt best for herself even if it meant going against their parent’s wishes and against the norms of society at that time. The Spanish Influenza was a horrible epidemic changing the lives of thousands of people and causing much death and sadness. Families, including Jenny’s and Kit’s were affected deeply.
I thought this was a fast moving, interesting book to read. The time period was researched and presented accurately.
I thought this was a fast moving, interesting book to read. The time period was researched and presented accurately.
April 24, 2020
A Timely YA Read in the Era of Corona Virus
For young adults, Breathe is a story of Philadelphia during the height of the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918.
Author Sara Fujimura vividly portrays the virulence of Spanish influenza and the inequities of rigid social class rules and limitations on women’s rights typical of the day. Her background in public health brings credence to the stark realities of Spanish influenza.
Characters are likable and spirited. Readers will cheer for Ginny, a determined Rittenhouse Square debutante and Marco, the family chauffeur from Little Italy, as they dream of medical school, fall in love, and struggle to help loved ones and neighbors survive Spanish influenza.
Entertaining and informative.
For young adults, Breathe is a story of Philadelphia during the height of the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918.
Author Sara Fujimura vividly portrays the virulence of Spanish influenza and the inequities of rigid social class rules and limitations on women’s rights typical of the day. Her background in public health brings credence to the stark realities of Spanish influenza.
Characters are likable and spirited. Readers will cheer for Ginny, a determined Rittenhouse Square debutante and Marco, the family chauffeur from Little Italy, as they dream of medical school, fall in love, and struggle to help loved ones and neighbors survive Spanish influenza.
Entertaining and informative.
August 26, 2018
BREATHE is a Romance that also covers several historical (1918) and relevant topics--influenza and suffrage. I would recommend this novel to middle and high school students. Personally, I prefer historical written in past tense, but author Sara Fujimura has chosen present tense (as are many other historical childrne's writers today) to make the story sound more contemporary for young readers. Also, if you are reading the first pages to decide, don't be put off by the purple prose--overuse of adjectives--on the first page. After several pages, the author settles down into a less flowery style.
I bought this book from Barnes & Noble.
I bought this book from Barnes & Noble.
July 4, 2018
Fascinating history Lesson
Book that takes place in Philadelphia? Yes, please.
Historical fiction? Ummmm, maybe?
Really well done book that takes you back to the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak. Written in a way that teaches you the history while imbedding you into the character’s lives.
I would recommend to anyone that likes a bit of an education along with their storytelling.
Book that takes place in Philadelphia? Yes, please.
Historical fiction? Ummmm, maybe?
Really well done book that takes you back to the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak. Written in a way that teaches you the history while imbedding you into the character’s lives.
I would recommend to anyone that likes a bit of an education along with their storytelling.
May 18, 2020
I struggled with rating this one but decided to round up. It is a cute story and got better as i read it. I liked that it took on a variety of issues seen for women in the early 1900s. It was easy to read so it would be a great pick for people who are not big readers. It is very forward and does not make you guess, but lays it all out for you, which can be a drawback for readers that like a lot of symbolism or deep themes.
December 22, 2020
Enjoyable
I loved the topic and setting. I feel the characters could have used a little more depth. Especially the secondary characters. Overall, I enjoyed the book and wou!d read a similar story from this author.
I loved the topic and setting. I feel the characters could have used a little more depth. Especially the secondary characters. Overall, I enjoyed the book and wou!d read a similar story from this author.
December 25, 2018
A must read!
I found this book so interesting and the facts about voting and the flu were presented in a credible manner. A great story.
I found this book so interesting and the facts about voting and the flu were presented in a credible manner. A great story.
March 22, 2019
Well-researched, beautifully written, and appropriately melancholy.
July 12, 2020
A young adult novel about suffrage, WWI, and the flu epidemic of 1918. Extremely well written as the characters come to life. So much depth in a quick read.
April 25, 2022
Awesome book about the Spanish flu, I had a hard time putting it down
March 23, 2023
Interesting
August 5, 2019
Originally posted at https://bickeringbooks.wordpress.com/...
Summary: In 1918, Virginia Jackson dreams of becoming a doctor and her medical skills are put to the test when the Spanish Flu hits her hometown of Philadelphia. Virginia quickly finds herself in the middle of the battle against the deadly epidemic which is ravaging her family and friends. She finds comfort with her fathers driver/medical protege, Marco. Can Virginia help protect her family and friends from the threat of illness and follow her own heart?
Review: I was quite surprised by this book. I usually don’t care for historical fiction but I found myself drawn into Virginia’s story. Fujimura does a fine job of integrated historical facts with the lives of her characters without the book feeling like a history lesson. The experiences of Virginia during the flu pandemic were well written and illustrated society and cast division at this time. However, I found myself wanted a little more with the romance. Virginia and Marco are supposed to be in love but their interactions seemed to brief and their conflicts/resolutions were a little to neat for my taste. Yet, even with that issue Breathe is an enjoyable and interesting historical fiction that explores what it was like to be a young woman with dreams in a time when young women we not encouraged to follow their dreams.
Summary: In 1918, Virginia Jackson dreams of becoming a doctor and her medical skills are put to the test when the Spanish Flu hits her hometown of Philadelphia. Virginia quickly finds herself in the middle of the battle against the deadly epidemic which is ravaging her family and friends. She finds comfort with her fathers driver/medical protege, Marco. Can Virginia help protect her family and friends from the threat of illness and follow her own heart?
Review: I was quite surprised by this book. I usually don’t care for historical fiction but I found myself drawn into Virginia’s story. Fujimura does a fine job of integrated historical facts with the lives of her characters without the book feeling like a history lesson. The experiences of Virginia during the flu pandemic were well written and illustrated society and cast division at this time. However, I found myself wanted a little more with the romance. Virginia and Marco are supposed to be in love but their interactions seemed to brief and their conflicts/resolutions were a little to neat for my taste. Yet, even with that issue Breathe is an enjoyable and interesting historical fiction that explores what it was like to be a young woman with dreams in a time when young women we not encouraged to follow their dreams.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews