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Dear America
A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska, Lattimer, Pennsylvania, 1896
Meet Anetka, a 13-year-old Polish girl who comes to America as a promised bride to a Pennsylvania coal miner. Her fascinating diary entries give readers a personal glimpse into what life was like in a coal-mining town during a tumultuous time in our country's past.
219 pages
First published January 1, 2000
35 people are currently reading
3338 people want to read
About the author
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
33 books235 followersSusan Campbell Bartoletti is an American writer of children's literature. She was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but eventually the family ended up in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. Susan started as an English teacher and inspired many students before deciding to pursue writing in earnest. She sold her first short story in 1989. Three years later in 1992 she published her first picture book, Silver at Night. She held a rigid routine, awaking early in the morning in order to write before she left to teach. In 1997 she turned to writing full time. Susan has since returned to inspiring future writers. She teaches writing classes at a number of MA and MFA programs, among them Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally she leads workshops offered through the Highlights Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
September 8, 2021
As an immigrant and a coal miner’s bride, young Anetka does not have an easy life. She grapples with some serious and heavy topics and while I often found the tone to be cheerless, Anetka relies on her faith to sustain her and maintains a hopeful outlook despite her prayers so often being answered no. She displays a quiet strength as well as a resigned and mature disposition despite the hardships of life. It is even more remarkable considering she is just 13 when she comes to America and becomes a bride. Perhaps it is her cultural or religious upbringing that gives her these steadfast qualities, she has been taught that being a wife and mother was a girl’s highest calling, her sacred duty.
I liked reading about Anetka’s guileless yet relatively wise faith and appreciated the reminder that our prayers are not always answered the way we wish. I learned about Polish traditions and superstitions of the time and the historical note at the end educated me on another female union advocate (“Big Mary” Septak). I only wish the glossary had been at the front of the book for easy reference instead of buried at the back. Another great book in the series!
I liked reading about Anetka’s guileless yet relatively wise faith and appreciated the reminder that our prayers are not always answered the way we wish. I learned about Polish traditions and superstitions of the time and the historical note at the end educated me on another female union advocate (“Big Mary” Septak). I only wish the glossary had been at the front of the book for easy reference instead of buried at the back. Another great book in the series!
December 5, 2018
This book. This book.
I read it in fifth grade, absolutely adored it, and finally got my mom to order me a copy.
I've read it once a year since then....and it's eight years later.
From the heroine's courage and compassion to her wonderful, charming hero, this book hits the nail on the head for kids, adults, and anyone in between.
The turmoil of the setting only adds to the magnificance that is this book. I'd reccommend it to anyone, anyone at all.
I also credit it as one of the reasons I still prefer romance to any other genre. After reading about Anetka and Leon's developing love, I was hooked :)
Anyway, this is one book I plan to keep forever!!
I read it in fifth grade, absolutely adored it, and finally got my mom to order me a copy.
I've read it once a year since then....and it's eight years later.
From the heroine's courage and compassion to her wonderful, charming hero, this book hits the nail on the head for kids, adults, and anyone in between.
The turmoil of the setting only adds to the magnificance that is this book. I'd reccommend it to anyone, anyone at all.
I also credit it as one of the reasons I still prefer romance to any other genre. After reading about Anetka and Leon's developing love, I was hooked :)
Anyway, this is one book I plan to keep forever!!
February 23, 2011
A Coal Miner's Bride / 0-439-05386-2
Anetka, a young Polish girl, is infuriated when her father, a coal worker in America, sends her a ticket to America that he has bought by promising her in marriage to a fellow coal worker. She arrives in America with her younger brother and a bothersome, yet very attractive soldier named Leon, only to find that her prospective husband is a boorish brute with three daughters from a previous marriage. Anetka silently accepts her wedding and unhappy marriage, shackled to a husband who does not love her and who does not treat her with tenderness, calling her 'lazy wife' daily when he returns home. Secretly, she yearns for a husband who will love her and care for her, or at least for a man whose kisses will stop her heart the way Leon's stolen kiss did, so long ago.
As Anetka struggles to create a new life with her husband and his three young daughters, a bleaker bigger picture emerges. Conditions in the coal mine are treacherous, and the bosses work their employees to death, cheating them out of their wages and refuses them safe working conditions. As the coal miners speak more of unionization, the Americans turn violent, seriously injuring and killing many of the immigrants. Anetka's spirit must remain strong as she fights to protect her new daughters from the harshness of this strange new world.
For parents, there is a significant amount of violence in this novel, including multiple beatings of immigrant workers, and the wholesale slaughter of the strikers when the bosses fire on the unarmed strikers. The issue of sexuality is handled delicately, but very young children may wonder what Anetka means when she sorrowfully notes that, in bed at night, her new husband "does not kiss me afterward". What, exactly, she means by "afterward" is left to parental discretion to explain.
This compellingly written novel is a fast read and brought tears to my eyes. It is impossible not to admire Anetka's spirit and determination, and it is easy to forget that she is so very young, when she is so very loving and wise. There is much good to be had here, including an accurate and important portrayal of the importance of unions in our country's history.
~ Ana Mardoll
Anetka, a young Polish girl, is infuriated when her father, a coal worker in America, sends her a ticket to America that he has bought by promising her in marriage to a fellow coal worker. She arrives in America with her younger brother and a bothersome, yet very attractive soldier named Leon, only to find that her prospective husband is a boorish brute with three daughters from a previous marriage. Anetka silently accepts her wedding and unhappy marriage, shackled to a husband who does not love her and who does not treat her with tenderness, calling her 'lazy wife' daily when he returns home. Secretly, she yearns for a husband who will love her and care for her, or at least for a man whose kisses will stop her heart the way Leon's stolen kiss did, so long ago.
As Anetka struggles to create a new life with her husband and his three young daughters, a bleaker bigger picture emerges. Conditions in the coal mine are treacherous, and the bosses work their employees to death, cheating them out of their wages and refuses them safe working conditions. As the coal miners speak more of unionization, the Americans turn violent, seriously injuring and killing many of the immigrants. Anetka's spirit must remain strong as she fights to protect her new daughters from the harshness of this strange new world.
For parents, there is a significant amount of violence in this novel, including multiple beatings of immigrant workers, and the wholesale slaughter of the strikers when the bosses fire on the unarmed strikers. The issue of sexuality is handled delicately, but very young children may wonder what Anetka means when she sorrowfully notes that, in bed at night, her new husband "does not kiss me afterward". What, exactly, she means by "afterward" is left to parental discretion to explain.
This compellingly written novel is a fast read and brought tears to my eyes. It is impossible not to admire Anetka's spirit and determination, and it is easy to forget that she is so very young, when she is so very loving and wise. There is much good to be had here, including an accurate and important portrayal of the importance of unions in our country's history.
~ Ana Mardoll
December 30, 2015
Swooned just as hard over Leon now as I did back in the day, and teared up just as much over the hardships these characters face.
June 23, 2020
4 solid stars for A Coal Miner's Bride
Thought and Plot
Anetka is a polish girl living in a polish village under Russia's rule when her father sends for her, her brother and her grandma via steamship. In exchange for these tickets, he has arranged for Anetka to marry a fellow coal worker named Stanley who is in need of a new wife as his has passed. Anetka is furious at being sold like property for tickets to bring everyone over from Poland. But when attacked by a Soviet officer, she is rescued by another soldier who has taken to teasing her, Leon. Anetka's grandmother gives her ticket to Leon as thanks for rescuing Anetka and further looking after her on the way to America. In America Leon is detained and separated from Anetka and her brother Josef.
Upon arriving at the town where her father lives and works as a coal miner. Stanley, who Anetka is promised to, turns out to already has three little girls in need of a mother. Despite not wanting to be married to a man she does not love Anetka obeys her father and marries Stanley, moving into his house, caring for his children, and doing all the wifely duties. Stanley is a bit of a drunk (not actively pointed out, but is hinted at) and takes to calling Anetka lazy, complaining that her bread is too brown, that she wastes money. All she wants is for him to show her a little affection, a nuzzle here, a hug there, a kiss in bed "afterward."
Instead Anetka is left to struggle carving out a new life with her 3 new daughters, one who must be difficult at all times to prove Anetka is not her mother, unhappy with her young married life, with barely enough money to cover everything they need. The mine where Stanley works charges him for all the tools he needs to do his job (pickaxe, blasting powder, everything), the conditions are horrible and dangerous, and the bosses find ways to cut corners and cheat miners out of their wages. Packs of American boys and men make sport of finding and beating immigrants. The foreign miners start talk of unionizing against the mine owners for better working conditions and fairer wages. Anetka does her best to protect her daughters as things turn ugly as miner workers and the owners clashes with Sheriffs shooting foreign workers for attending strike protests.
Leon appears back in Anetka's life, still teasing her as he always does (in case you were wondering what happened to him after being held for questioning)
In Conclusion
A compelling and interesting novel about a young girl who is put into an arranged marriage with a coal miner in exchange for passage to America. Has great additional information as well as an Epilogue on the characters. This book really shows the harsh conditions the miners and the families had to suffer as well as how poorly foreign workers were treated by everyone who was American.
Age range: preteen and up due to violence
Content: sexuality is handled delicately and leaves it up to the reader to fill in the blanks (so to speak). There is a great deal of violence with people being attacked by gangs of Americans that beat them near to death (or to death), a home invasion during a party that leads to a brawl, shooting foreigners on picket lines, boys trying to stone woman and children and cats. Also talks of burn victims from explosion and briefly describes a dead person.
Thought and Plot
Anetka is a polish girl living in a polish village under Russia's rule when her father sends for her, her brother and her grandma via steamship. In exchange for these tickets, he has arranged for Anetka to marry a fellow coal worker named Stanley who is in need of a new wife as his has passed. Anetka is furious at being sold like property for tickets to bring everyone over from Poland. But when attacked by a Soviet officer, she is rescued by another soldier who has taken to teasing her, Leon. Anetka's grandmother gives her ticket to Leon as thanks for rescuing Anetka and further looking after her on the way to America. In America Leon is detained and separated from Anetka and her brother Josef.
Upon arriving at the town where her father lives and works as a coal miner. Stanley, who Anetka is promised to, turns out to already has three little girls in need of a mother. Despite not wanting to be married to a man she does not love Anetka obeys her father and marries Stanley, moving into his house, caring for his children, and doing all the wifely duties. Stanley is a bit of a drunk (not actively pointed out, but is hinted at) and takes to calling Anetka lazy, complaining that her bread is too brown, that she wastes money. All she wants is for him to show her a little affection, a nuzzle here, a hug there, a kiss in bed "afterward."
Instead Anetka is left to struggle carving out a new life with her 3 new daughters, one who must be difficult at all times to prove Anetka is not her mother, unhappy with her young married life, with barely enough money to cover everything they need. The mine where Stanley works charges him for all the tools he needs to do his job (pickaxe, blasting powder, everything), the conditions are horrible and dangerous, and the bosses find ways to cut corners and cheat miners out of their wages. Packs of American boys and men make sport of finding and beating immigrants. The foreign miners start talk of unionizing against the mine owners for better working conditions and fairer wages. Anetka does her best to protect her daughters as things turn ugly as miner workers and the owners clashes with Sheriffs shooting foreign workers for attending strike protests.
Leon appears back in Anetka's life, still teasing her as he always does (in case you were wondering what happened to him after being held for questioning)
In Conclusion
A compelling and interesting novel about a young girl who is put into an arranged marriage with a coal miner in exchange for passage to America. Has great additional information as well as an Epilogue on the characters. This book really shows the harsh conditions the miners and the families had to suffer as well as how poorly foreign workers were treated by everyone who was American.
Age range: preteen and up due to violence
Content: sexuality is handled delicately and leaves it up to the reader to fill in the blanks (so to speak). There is a great deal of violence with people being attacked by gangs of Americans that beat them near to death (or to death), a home invasion during a party that leads to a brawl, shooting foreigners on picket lines, boys trying to stone woman and children and cats. Also talks of burn victims from explosion and briefly describes a dead person.
February 28, 2014
I assure you this review will contain spoilers. Here's what I think about the book...
Yes, this is my all-time favorite book. I loved it so much the first time I read it that I read it three time until I had to return it to my school's library. I was 11 then. I just thought the characters where so credible! They were so likable and interesting! I could relate to all of them! I mean ALL.
Anetka: She was amazing. She could do things that I could NEVER accomplish in my life. She was "headstrong" just as Leon would say. She was so brave too. She was focused and determined throughout the whole diary. I loved her. She seemed so much like me though I am not that focused.
Leon: He was just the perfect guy for me. His humor was magnetic. I would've been stuck on him if I were Anetka. I love funny guys. He was so determined to marry Anetka and get her to love him. I loved his determination. I loved how he could get along and be social with everyone he came across. I love how clever and smart and intelligent he was. I loved how well he spoke to people. He has a way with words, I should say. I just loved him. "Anetka, I love you." It melted my heart. Also that first kiss. He melts my heart.
Stanley: Oh, my! I love Stanley. He reminds me of someone in my life. I could picture his face so well. Tall, strong, well-built, handsome, tough-looking. Then I see that deep sadness in him. I see that the death of his former wife, Sophie really hit him hard and then began his alcoholism. That's why I don't blame him for all that anger he shot at Anetka. But then there is that caring, innocent man sitting at the table, drunk, lonely and withdrawn from others. It broke my heart when Stanley died. It truly did. Call me crazy for feeling sorry for him but no. He wasn't that grumpy man. I got angry at Anetka for being mad at him when he was dead. I felt like Stanley died feeling remorseful for yelling at Anetka for being a "lazy wife" I didn't want that at all. He possibly could be my favorite character. I needed to get that off my chest, seriously.
I loved this book. It's so painful and depressing but the love and the care between all those people canceled it all out. It was truly and amazing, life-changing book. I could play-out the life Leon and Anetka had. "To know love in your life, you must know love in your heart."-Anetka
~Evelyn *Actually finished May 20, 2011 for it was the first time I finished that book.
Yes, this is my all-time favorite book. I loved it so much the first time I read it that I read it three time until I had to return it to my school's library. I was 11 then. I just thought the characters where so credible! They were so likable and interesting! I could relate to all of them! I mean ALL.
Anetka: She was amazing. She could do things that I could NEVER accomplish in my life. She was "headstrong" just as Leon would say. She was so brave too. She was focused and determined throughout the whole diary. I loved her. She seemed so much like me though I am not that focused.
Leon: He was just the perfect guy for me. His humor was magnetic. I would've been stuck on him if I were Anetka. I love funny guys. He was so determined to marry Anetka and get her to love him. I loved his determination. I loved how he could get along and be social with everyone he came across. I love how clever and smart and intelligent he was. I loved how well he spoke to people. He has a way with words, I should say. I just loved him. "Anetka, I love you." It melted my heart. Also that first kiss. He melts my heart.
Stanley: Oh, my! I love Stanley. He reminds me of someone in my life. I could picture his face so well. Tall, strong, well-built, handsome, tough-looking. Then I see that deep sadness in him. I see that the death of his former wife, Sophie really hit him hard and then began his alcoholism. That's why I don't blame him for all that anger he shot at Anetka. But then there is that caring, innocent man sitting at the table, drunk, lonely and withdrawn from others. It broke my heart when Stanley died. It truly did. Call me crazy for feeling sorry for him but no. He wasn't that grumpy man. I got angry at Anetka for being mad at him when he was dead. I felt like Stanley died feeling remorseful for yelling at Anetka for being a "lazy wife" I didn't want that at all. He possibly could be my favorite character. I needed to get that off my chest, seriously.
I loved this book. It's so painful and depressing but the love and the care between all those people canceled it all out. It was truly and amazing, life-changing book. I could play-out the life Leon and Anetka had. "To know love in your life, you must know love in your heart."-Anetka
~Evelyn *Actually finished May 20, 2011 for it was the first time I finished that book.
March 27, 2010
Annetka Kaminska is a thirteen-year-old girl living in Russian-controlled Poland in 1896. She bitterly resents the Russians that have taken over her country and are forcing her people to give up their language and customs. But she is even more angry when her father, living in America, arranges a marriage for her, with a Pennsylvania coal miner twice her age. A widower with three little girls, Stanley mounrs for his wife and does not love Annetka, treating her almost like a servant. Yet when he dies in a mining accident, things become even more difficult, as she must care for the children and pay the rent. Yet in spite of her bleak life, she finds some hope in the children, and in the possibly of true love. One of the best (and most mature) books in the Dear America series.
Read
August 12, 2010A Coal Miner’s Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Historical
Grade 6 and up
214 pages
Dear America books tend to be hit or miss with me. I either love them or just don’t care for them. A Coal Miner’s Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska was one that I absolutely adored. It’s a heart wrenching story about a thirteen year old Russian immigrant girl whose family has come to Lattimer, Pennsylvania to work in the coal mines. Her father arranges for her to marry a recent widow twice her age. Anetka does not love this man, who has been left with three young daughters to raise, and to further complicate matters, she has a budding relationship with a young man who accompanied them safely to America. Despite her objections to the marriage, her father forces her to go through with it.
Anetka must learn to accept her marriage, care for children that are not her own and keep a house—a daunting task for a thirteen year old girl. Her diary entries vividly depict her struggles and her growth. She is continuously faced with challenges that she tackles head on, struggling through them the best she can. She is a strong character who does not let the weight of life crush her even at the worst of times.
I love the historical aspect of this book as well. The picture it depicts of life in 1896 comes alive. Details are worked seamlessly into the descriptions. While the book offers a wealth of “facts,” they aren’t just added because they’re “interesting”. They’re relevant to each scene, which makes this book stand out from so many of the Dear America novels.
Part of the reason this story resonated so much with me is that my great-grandfather emigrated from Poland to work in the Pennsylvania coal mines. I’ve always wanted to tell a story centered around an immigrant family and life in the coal mines. This book does beautifully what I one day hope to do—tell a story of the difficult life these immigrants lived. If you only read one Dear America book I wholeheartedly recommend that you read this one. You will not be disappointed.
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Historical
Grade 6 and up
214 pages
Dear America books tend to be hit or miss with me. I either love them or just don’t care for them. A Coal Miner’s Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska was one that I absolutely adored. It’s a heart wrenching story about a thirteen year old Russian immigrant girl whose family has come to Lattimer, Pennsylvania to work in the coal mines. Her father arranges for her to marry a recent widow twice her age. Anetka does not love this man, who has been left with three young daughters to raise, and to further complicate matters, she has a budding relationship with a young man who accompanied them safely to America. Despite her objections to the marriage, her father forces her to go through with it.
Anetka must learn to accept her marriage, care for children that are not her own and keep a house—a daunting task for a thirteen year old girl. Her diary entries vividly depict her struggles and her growth. She is continuously faced with challenges that she tackles head on, struggling through them the best she can. She is a strong character who does not let the weight of life crush her even at the worst of times.
I love the historical aspect of this book as well. The picture it depicts of life in 1896 comes alive. Details are worked seamlessly into the descriptions. While the book offers a wealth of “facts,” they aren’t just added because they’re “interesting”. They’re relevant to each scene, which makes this book stand out from so many of the Dear America novels.
Part of the reason this story resonated so much with me is that my great-grandfather emigrated from Poland to work in the Pennsylvania coal mines. I’ve always wanted to tell a story centered around an immigrant family and life in the coal mines. This book does beautifully what I one day hope to do—tell a story of the difficult life these immigrants lived. If you only read one Dear America book I wholeheartedly recommend that you read this one. You will not be disappointed.
May 31, 2017
Honestly, I'm 28 years old and I still finding myself really enjoying these books. They can really transport you into the time period and setting and I always loved how you get a glimpse into what everyday life may be like for these people. I really liked the character of Anetka, and I feel like she was incredibly strong and hardworking, and I loved how despite everything she was determined to be a good wife and mother. I also loved that she had a temper and wasn't afraid to speak her mind even if she did become embarrassed afterwards. I also loved the romance, although I admit I wish there was a little more. This book even covered some pretty adult topics - there was a lot of violence and death and it even touched on consummating marriage - but I feel that it's appropriate for most younger readers.
November 26, 2017
3.5 out of 5
Although based on actual historical events, A Coal Miner’s Bride is a fictional diary of Anetka Kaminska, a thirteen-year-old Polish immigrant whose father arranged her to marry a fellow coal miner, a widower twice her age with three small children.
Anetka’s life as a housewife and a mother of three at her tender age in Lattimer, PA in 1896-1897 is horrifying and heartbreaking, yet her perseverance and compassion are inspiring. Also, Anetka and Leon’s, a fellow Polish immigrant’s, love story is heartwarmingly sweet.
I knew nothing about the 1897 Lattimer Massacre or the lives of coal miners and immigrants in the US at the turn of the twentieth century, so the 20-page historical note, photographs, and maps in the back of the book were especially helpful.
Although based on actual historical events, A Coal Miner’s Bride is a fictional diary of Anetka Kaminska, a thirteen-year-old Polish immigrant whose father arranged her to marry a fellow coal miner, a widower twice her age with three small children.
Anetka’s life as a housewife and a mother of three at her tender age in Lattimer, PA in 1896-1897 is horrifying and heartbreaking, yet her perseverance and compassion are inspiring. Also, Anetka and Leon’s, a fellow Polish immigrant’s, love story is heartwarmingly sweet.
I knew nothing about the 1897 Lattimer Massacre or the lives of coal miners and immigrants in the US at the turn of the twentieth century, so the 20-page historical note, photographs, and maps in the back of the book were especially helpful.
December 17, 2013
A good one - a little more mature in content than your typical Dear America. It was neat to read about one so young though, coping with the new things in life what with marriage and raising children. Anetka has to grow up fast - a strong character! I enjoyed this a lot! :)
June 26, 2015
I stopped at a local used book store and picked this book up in the young adult section. Being from Pennsylvania and growing as a coal miner's daughter I was really excited to read this short book. Written like a journal this was a quick and easy read. After I picked it up I didn't put it down until it was read. It was a very enjoyable read.
October 24, 2016
I really enjoyed Anetka but often wondered while reading this was America really better than Sadowka, Poland? I felt the diary entries drew me closer to Babcia, Stefania and life in Poland more than America; so at times I found myself distracted.
May 11, 2024
I loved this one! Not Catholic, but I loved the story…I loved Leon and I was scared she wouldn’t realize that she loved him!! I did NOT like Stanley. 😠 but, anyways, it ends wonderfully!!!
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
August 15, 2018
I used to love "Dear America" books as a kid and tween, and this one was always my favorite. I reread it all growing up, including in high school and college. My enjoyment never wavered, and the older I got, the more I got from the story. Writing the diary of a married woman for children is tricky, but this author pulled off the adult content brilliantly. As a kid I never even thought twice about it; when I re-read it in high school I went, "...oh."
The cultural aspect was always one of the highlights. Anetka lives in the Christian half of a split village in Poland, ruled by the Russian Tzar Nicolas II. She witnesses the Tzar's "demonstrations" against the Jews, which my dad's side of the family would've experienced before immigrating to the U.S. But before reading this book, I'd had no idea that non-Jewish Poles were oppressed by Nick the Dick as well--forced to fight his wars for him, forbidden from reading their own language, and watching their Jewish neighbors get their homes burned and ransacked. Anetka hates the Tzar, and I hated him with her. (Sorry, Anastasia. The rest of the Romanovs still didn't deserve what happened to them, but the Tzar may have.) It was also interesting to read from the POV of a Catholic character (my mom's side of the family is Catholic, but I was raised Jewish). As a kid I was also ecstatic to see the Romani, a culture that I was fascinated by. Anetka buys her diary from "Gypsies" (that's the only word Anetka and her family would have been likely to know them by in that time and place), and the Romani's persecution by the Tzar is also acknowledged. (Basically, this book will make you really hate Nicholas II.)
Other historical aspects were interesting as well. Anetka's family's escape from Poland, the steamboat to America, the arranged Polish American marriage in the 1800s, the Industrial Age coal mining community ("put on book" stands out to me for some reason), the riots, and the Polish American funeral.
Lastly, the story itself was always an enjoyable read. Anetka was a different kind of heroine than I was used to. Yes, she was sassy and hoping to marry for love; but also pragmatic, and taking on all of these adult roles like illegally teaching Polish to the village children, having a friend who was married and pregnant, becoming a step-mother to three young girls. The latter was a particularly interesting twist, for a kid who was used to reading about evil stepmothers from the perspectives of the kids who's moms they replaced. Anetka's love interest Leon was funny and lovable, though it also made her husband Stanley's fate fairly predictable and contrived, even the first time I read this as a kid.
I will most likely have more details to talk about after I've reread this book again.
The cultural aspect was always one of the highlights. Anetka lives in the Christian half of a split village in Poland, ruled by the Russian Tzar Nicolas II. She witnesses the Tzar's "demonstrations" against the Jews, which my dad's side of the family would've experienced before immigrating to the U.S. But before reading this book, I'd had no idea that non-Jewish Poles were oppressed by Nick the Dick as well--forced to fight his wars for him, forbidden from reading their own language, and watching their Jewish neighbors get their homes burned and ransacked. Anetka hates the Tzar, and I hated him with her. (Sorry, Anastasia. The rest of the Romanovs still didn't deserve what happened to them, but the Tzar may have.) It was also interesting to read from the POV of a Catholic character (my mom's side of the family is Catholic, but I was raised Jewish). As a kid I was also ecstatic to see the Romani, a culture that I was fascinated by. Anetka buys her diary from "Gypsies" (that's the only word Anetka and her family would have been likely to know them by in that time and place), and the Romani's persecution by the Tzar is also acknowledged. (Basically, this book will make you really hate Nicholas II.)
Other historical aspects were interesting as well. Anetka's family's escape from Poland, the steamboat to America, the arranged Polish American marriage in the 1800s, the Industrial Age coal mining community ("put on book" stands out to me for some reason), the riots, and the Polish American funeral.
Lastly, the story itself was always an enjoyable read. Anetka was a different kind of heroine than I was used to. Yes, she was sassy and hoping to marry for love; but also pragmatic, and taking on all of these adult roles like illegally teaching Polish to the village children, having a friend who was married and pregnant, becoming a step-mother to three young girls. The latter was a particularly interesting twist, for a kid who was used to reading about evil stepmothers from the perspectives of the kids who's moms they replaced. Anetka's love interest Leon was funny and lovable, though it also made her husband Stanley's fate fairly predictable and contrived, even the first time I read this as a kid.
I will most likely have more details to talk about after I've reread this book again.
April 30, 2012
*Oops, sorry, I put Leo instead of Leon; I didn't realize that*
This is the best book I've ever read! Since I'm Polish, I really loved the history behind it, and I understood the words that Anetka was talking about. It is aout Anetka, who has to leave her Polish town with her brother and a former Russian soldier, Leo, to escape to America. When she finally arrives to America, she will have to marry a man that her father promised a wife to, and this is how Anetka and her brother were able to get their passage to America.
SPOILERS SPOILER DON'T READ AHEAD!!! I WARNED YOU
But Anetka is beginning to fall for Leo, the handsome soldier who accompanied her and her brother to America. She is not completely sure that her new husband loves her at all. But tragedy strikes and Anetka is left a widow, and now finally she can be with Leo, whom she would like to be with.
The confusing thing about this book is that I'm not exactly sure what age Anetka is. I think the she mentions that she is around thirteen, but that is far too young to get married and have children, even in the late nineteenth century.
This is the best book I've ever read! Since I'm Polish, I really loved the history behind it, and I understood the words that Anetka was talking about. It is aout Anetka, who has to leave her Polish town with her brother and a former Russian soldier, Leo, to escape to America. When she finally arrives to America, she will have to marry a man that her father promised a wife to, and this is how Anetka and her brother were able to get their passage to America.
SPOILERS SPOILER DON'T READ AHEAD!!! I WARNED YOU
But Anetka is beginning to fall for Leo, the handsome soldier who accompanied her and her brother to America. She is not completely sure that her new husband loves her at all. But tragedy strikes and Anetka is left a widow, and now finally she can be with Leo, whom she would like to be with.
The confusing thing about this book is that I'm not exactly sure what age Anetka is. I think the she mentions that she is around thirteen, but that is far too young to get married and have children, even in the late nineteenth century.
July 3, 2010
I loved, loved, loved this book. It's the fictional diary of a girl from Poland who immigrates to America with her father and younger brother due to unrest in their home country. Her father has arranged for thirteen-year-old Anetka to marry a twenty-six-year-old Polish man (who already lives in America) with three young daughters from a first marriage. Anetka sees this as her duty, although she is quite nervous about it, and takes everything quite well. However, she kind of has a thing for a young Polish soldier named Leon. Very sad, very fascinating, and very good.
December 13, 2015
I definitely felt for the main character of this story, having to go to a strange new country and getting so much responsibility at the tender age of 14. At 25 I don't think I could have handled it. This was extremely well-researched and I get the impression that it's very historically possible for women like Anetka to have existed. The story itself was actually better than average for the Dear America series. Although perhaps a tad predictable.
April 22, 2020
Each of the books in this series shaped the woman I am today. They portray history in a way that is honest and informative and digestible for young women and they helped me the advocate and activist I've become.
January 27, 2023
A new favorite!!! ♡♡♡ O, moje serce! I haven't read a Dear America book in probably 20 years, and this felt a little like 'coming home'. I loved these books dearly as a preteen and had MANY of them, but somehow never read this one before.
Anetka is a brave young Polish girl in about 1896. She has to leave her beloved home in Poland to join her father in America, he has arranged a marriage for her. So the book follows a few months of her life in Poland and then about a year and a half after she comes to America.
Her precious descriptions of life in Poland were beautiful. I felt transported to the scenery and daily life ♡ The scary accounts of those rotten rxssians ruling over them and doing all the horrible things they do were so accurate too. Her life was rough in Poland and unfortunately it just got much worse in America. But it ends on a lovely note, which made me very happy.
I loved the descriptions of her daily life - working with bees, making food, making scented oils, making special soaps and creams. I loved how much actual Polish was peppered throughout (and the fact that they included a little phonetic dictionary at the end of the book for those who don't know how the Polish language is pronounced).
This sweet book holds a very special place in my heart now and I know I'll read it again!
Anetka is a brave young Polish girl in about 1896. She has to leave her beloved home in Poland to join her father in America, he has arranged a marriage for her. So the book follows a few months of her life in Poland and then about a year and a half after she comes to America.
Her precious descriptions of life in Poland were beautiful. I felt transported to the scenery and daily life ♡ The scary accounts of those rotten rxssians ruling over them and doing all the horrible things they do were so accurate too. Her life was rough in Poland and unfortunately it just got much worse in America. But it ends on a lovely note, which made me very happy.
I loved the descriptions of her daily life - working with bees, making food, making scented oils, making special soaps and creams. I loved how much actual Polish was peppered throughout (and the fact that they included a little phonetic dictionary at the end of the book for those who don't know how the Polish language is pronounced).
This sweet book holds a very special place in my heart now and I know I'll read it again!
April 14, 2019
I used to read all the Dear America books, and this one was my favorite; I kept the hard copy years later. I first read it around late elementary or middle school. The historical setting was educational, but I loved it because I'm a big sap at heart. When I first read it I thought the Leon/Anetka romance was surprising because Anetka is annoyed by him at first, but it's so obvious now! "His handsome face is very annoying" we know, Anetka.
Also, the book is slightly conflicted but it's mostly pro union, which I liked.
I read this in like two hours on a whim. It's very young YA, and I don't think I'd really recommend to adults. I'd recommend to younger readers, though, especially romantic kids.
Also, the book is slightly conflicted but it's mostly pro union, which I liked.
I read this in like two hours on a whim. It's very young YA, and I don't think I'd really recommend to adults. I'd recommend to younger readers, though, especially romantic kids.
February 15, 2013
This is one of the "Dear America" series, an excellent group of books for intermediate readers. I've appreciated that good historical fiction is availa ble for younger readers. This is a good one in the series, esp. the relationship of Anetka and Leon. My only disagreement with the author is that, although written well, I don't believe it's realistic; Anetka packs her diary with an unusual amount of detail about the social and political world around her that an overworked young girl struggling in a coal shanty would ever be able to give. But it's still an entertaining way to learn about the plight of the refugees in Pennsylvania circa 1896.
June 1, 2013
Okay, so I liked this book because I've never really read anything before that had to do with Polish history. Anetka seemed a lot older than 13.
However, I hate how they made it seem like unions were the only answer to some of the worker's poor working conditions.
Also, there was a VERY BIG misconception of love in this book.
However, I hate how they made it seem like unions were the only answer to some of the worker's poor working conditions.
Also, there was a VERY BIG misconception of love in this book.
September 11, 2020
loved this one of my favs in the series
June 28, 2018
I did not like this book as much as I liked Seeds Of Hope. This book was really hard to keep up with and it keeps jumping to conclusions and got very hard to keep it with and it keeps going to different times and it is hard to keep up with. One thing that I liked about this book is it hard a twist ending and I like those kind of books that have that because it is very important and interesting. so I gave this book 1 star.
February 7, 2022
I'm in my usual mid winter reading slump so I decided to pick up another Dear America that I didn't remember very well. Look, the series never shied away from difficult scenes and topics and ideas. That's sort of its jam. This one may not be the saddest I've read but it is certainly the most adult. Most likely because our 14 year old heroine is married off to a grown adult man with 3 little girls. Sex is very obscurely alluded to, you wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it. It's all very sad and gross but I loved Anetka. The story also dos a marvelous job introducing unions and why they were/are so important.
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April 9, 2025this was my favourite book from the dear america series. it seemed the most authentic and genuine. The Story of Anetka and the people around her is raw and hard. the other two books of this series that I read were also not soft but I have a feeling that they kind of made it less horrible then it actually was historically, of course I understand that these are for children.
Nevertheless these books gave me a good overview over some of the history of america.
Nevertheless these books gave me a good overview over some of the history of america.
May 7, 2025
This book completely consumed me from start to finish & literally TORE ME APART 😭
My oldest sis lent me 3 Dear America books & told me to save this one for last. In her opinion it’s the best one of the series. I may have to agree with her! I was SO sucked into this story & oh how my heart was ripped out a couple times… It is educational & moving. & honestly seems like such a mature read for a middle grade book!
Holy moly, this story is going to stay with me. 🥲
My oldest sis lent me 3 Dear America books & told me to save this one for last. In her opinion it’s the best one of the series. I may have to agree with her! I was SO sucked into this story & oh how my heart was ripped out a couple times… It is educational & moving. & honestly seems like such a mature read for a middle grade book!
Holy moly, this story is going to stay with me. 🥲
May 13, 2020
I re-read A Coal Miner's Bride the second or third time ( I have lost count) in 2020 and it re-affirmed why its one of my all-time favourite middle-grade books.
I wrote a review on my blog in 2012 and I have also mentioned Anetka as one of my literary heroines elsewhere.
I think it is a great companion to The Journal Of Otto Peltonen, A Finnish Immigrantand also find The Women of the Copper Country interesting as well
What do you think about Anetka's diary?
I wrote a review on my blog in 2012 and I have also mentioned Anetka as one of my literary heroines elsewhere.
I think it is a great companion to The Journal Of Otto Peltonen, A Finnish Immigrantand also find The Women of the Copper Country interesting as well
What do you think about Anetka's diary?
June 29, 2018
This book is written for young people 9-12 years old, but don't let it stop you from reading this novel if you happen to be older than 12! In A Coal Miner's Bride, Susan Campbell Bartoletti has written a wonderful story of a Polish Catholic girl who is summoned to America by her father for an arranged marriage with a Polish widower with three young daughters. In the form of a diary, Anetka Kaminska dares to express her thoughts and feelings about her life, emigrating from peasant life in a Poland oppressed by the Russian czar to the coal fields of Lattimer, Pennsylvania, in 1896. Well-grounded in research about the period, this story illustrates the lives of coal miners, their human weaknesses, and the oppression they experience as foreigners as well as how and why they organized into the United Mine Workers. This story of immigrant life reveals their humanity, hardships, dignity, and resilience--a chapter from our American history that should inform our thinking about immigration issues today.
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