Becoming Rosemary

by Frances M. Wood

The year Rosemary makes her first true friend is also a year of great change for her and her entire community. Rumors have begun to spread through the serene farming village: tales of witchcraft and evil. To protect her family and her new friend, Rosemary takes action against the harmful gossip. In the process, she discovers a new, wondrous side of herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Juvenile

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

I was once a librarian, then I was a librarian/writer, and now I'm simply a writer. Always - and forever - a book lover.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Rosemary is just discovering who she really is during post-revolutionary North Carolina. Her two older sisters, boy-crazy A-Two (named for their mother, Althea), and introverted Constance (Con, for short), seem like polar opposites as they serve as possible role models. Rosemary’s real identity test comes when she befriends Mrs. DeAngeli and her husband. Already singled out for being Italian and Catholic, the DeAngelis are viewed as pawns of the Devil when Mr. DeAngeli begins having seizures following a tree-cutting accident.

This is a fast and humorous, and poignant read which gives a strong message that who you want to be can only come from within. This has potential for discussion as a companion to The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Will be of interest to grades 5-7.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of those books that I randomly picked up off the library shelf. It wasn't amazing, but it was pretty good.

[Ms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good coming of age story. There were topics that it touched that could have been brought out more, and would have made it better. I still enjoyed it.

[Kyoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd have liked it much more if a certain incident was replaced by another that would serve the purpose; since that incident disturbed the harmony of the images and sensation the novel creates as a whole.

[Lana Del Slay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming Rosemary
Frances Wood
1996

NUTSHELL: North Carolina turns into fairyland to great effect. 8 for being just as magical as ever, years after I first read it.

What do North Carolina and fairyland have in common? Frances Wood. At least, that's how I saw the book. This is a historical novel, but written with such a light touch that the history doesn't smack the reader upside the head. Younger readers get the magic -- and there is magic! -- while older readers find nuggets of "Hey, that's familiar" in there.

Nuggets, huh? For me, on rereading, it was the fashion history, specifically the rising waists of gowns in that post-Revolutionary War period.

What have gowns got to do with anything? Not much, actually.

What about the magic? Rosemary's mother and older sister Constance have powers. Rosemary's mother turned lightning in on itself, for example, and Constance reads without her eyes. The new arrivals, the DiAngelos, are already different by way of being Catholic, but it's hinted that Maria, the wife, has abilities of her own. One of the town hens gets religion, and suddenly life's a little more dangerous for these witch women. Not hanged-til-dead dangerous, but there are ways to drive folks out of a small town.

And where does Rosemary fit into all of this? Rosemary might have her mother's talents. Rosemary might not. Her other older sister, Althea the Second (A-Two), doesn't. The powers manifest at menarche, and Rosemary's twelve years old already...

So it's a bildungsroman? I see we remember something from Heather's class. Yes, this is indeed a coming-of-age novel, one as relaxed as the countryside itself. Perfect for a sunny day when you've got absolutely nothing else to do.

[Margy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's historical fiction - mixed with a bit of magic. Also informs about witch-hunts of the past - and is good at demonstrating that often the most "religious" are actually the true evil ones full of prejudice and judgment!

[Christian Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book with fresh topics for young readers. I remember parts of the story, but not the major plot.