Listen for Rachel

by Lou Kassem

After the death of her parents, Rachel goes to live with her grandparents in the Appalachian Mountains, but the onset of the Civil War brings new responsibilities, conflicting loyalties, tragedy, and romance into her life

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Civil War

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 31, 1986

About the author

Born in Tennessee in 1931, Kassem attended East Tennessee State College. Married in 1951, she had four daughters and began her storytelling career entertaining her own children. As a school librarian she further refined her storytelling skills, and is now the author of a dozen juvenile novels representing a variety of genres, among them humor, mystery, history, and the supernatural.
Often setting her novels in Virginia, where she has lived and worked for many years, Kassem has, according to Sally Harris in the Roanoke Times, "always been a storyteller." As the versatile author once commented, "For me, writing is like breathing: absolutely necessary. Reading is the bread that sustains me. Speaking about writing is my pleasure."

Reviews

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as a kid. I must have read it a thousand times while I was a preteen. So much so that I still remember how much I loved Rachel. How I saw her as a role model and hero. I also loved the romance in the book. A

[Laura Oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it when I was in high school and wanted to read it again. Still love it.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the coming-of-age story of a 14-year-old from Nashville going to live with her grandparents in the mountains before and during the Civil War. The romance mentioned on the cover appears in the final 60 pages, and the plot mostly concerns Rachel's adjusting to mountain ways and learning some doctorin'. Based on a real person, the story was fine. Lots of "feisty women" moments, so very historical 80s in that regard.

[Dhaverma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the whole book thinking this isn't very well written, however it held my interest. I think I couldn't get into the characters, but the plot was good. Also the romance at the very end was good.

[Lola]

I remember reading this when I was about 12, finding it in my middle school library. I recall loving it. I’ve wondered for years what it was called. I did some sleuthing, found it, ordered it, reread it, and it was very sweet.

[Hayleecia Dorival · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not that interesting to me.

[Maria Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this type of book. They do not make them like this anymore.

[Laura Aase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome crumbly paged historical fiction title I pulled from my civil war section. Rachel is orphaned and sent to the Appalachian mountains to live with her grandparents. Most sties on this line would be hillbilly-ish but this story celebrates the family culture. Rachel learns to ride and train horses and is recruited by the local medicine woman to learn the trade. Not wishing to follow the traditional married young tradition, she relishes her healing talents an unconventional tonal lifestyle. Brother against brother is illustrated as the civil war comes and the family splits with their differing political beliefs. This was a quick read and very satisfying AND based on a real person!

[J. Bralick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book as a teen. It was the first book with anything resembling "romance" that I read, and I just fell completely head-over-heels in love with Ben. I remember this being a very sweet romance between the wounded soldier and the healer...which is one of those themes that I've always loved, even when I was little and making up stories with my dolls. I loved how Rachel had to find her place in a rather foreign world, and how she found herself and her heart in the process. I really would love to find this book again (it's somewhere in my garage, I think) and reread it, because right now I'm feeling rather nostalgic for those old books I loved so much.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of 14-year-old Rachel Sutton. Her parents die in a fire, so she's got to go to the mountains of Tennessee, and have a new life.
I read this story as a teenager, and now that I'm in my mid 30's, i love it just as much. I just wish the book were longer.
Rachel learns a lot about herself, and her family in this story. Everything from who to trust, and not to trust, and she learns to be an herb woman, becarachel has that gift. Rachel also has a way with horses, which is nice to see.
I would suggest this book to any 14-year-old teenager, and even to adults that want a short heartwarming story

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was a young teen. We had borrowed it from the library. I think I picked it from the shelves because the title and I share a name. Looking back I have to credit it with my beginning interest with natural health. Funny because it isn't about that, just has a little touch of that. :-) It is about an orphan girl who moves in with her grandparents. They live in the Arkansas mountains during war time. It really is just about her struggles to fit in with the "country" crowd/family which she had never known.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read this in a long time, but I loved it as a teen, and I still love it as I reread it. Follows the fictionalized story of a real historical person, Rachel Sutton, who comes to live in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Tennessee with her maternal grandparents following the death of her parents. While it takes time to fit in, Rachel quickly grows to love the mountains and the people in them, particularly when she finds her calling as a doctor (albeit one w/o a medical degree). I enjoy this one for the evocative setting as much as for the story.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult book that I have had on my shelf forever! I'm so glad I read it. Very sweet little book. Takes place in the Appalachian Mountains during the Civil War. It is a coming of age book of a young woman and her story of finding love. Bonus: There are Church Meetings in homes... and on Sunday, they go to "Meeting"!! :)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I'm heading to the mountains this week, I picked this up for the first time in over 20 years. Civil War, southern Appalachian setting, feminist protagonist, romantic relationship based on communication and equality... this book had more influence on my life than I ever realized! It even references Saltville. Great quick young adult read. Recommended!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked this the first time I read it. The themes of abandonment and finding yourself in a completely different place and self-discovery are nothing new, but they way they are handled in this novel are. I'm not sure why I was initially taken with this story, but I love Rachel's strength and faith in herself. A few years ago I hunted down a used copy to add it to my library.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent!

[Autumn]

Do not remember this one and so I cannot properly rate what I don't remember. I rarely dislike books, so likely its at least two stars.

[Melissa Dusenbery]

I read this in 4th grade & loved it. I almost want to read it again to see if I feel the same way.

[Rachel Kemp Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so much when I was younger I almost had it memorized. Great book for a young girl. Horses, nursing wounded soldiers and clean romance. I will always love this book.

[Anna Murdock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 this was a nice book. It Is one that would have been fun to keep reading about the characters.

[Wickedfade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have loved this book for years. Only wish it was longer.