The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart

Dear America

by Kristiana Gregory

Eleven-year-old Abigail presents a diary account of life in Valley Forge from December 1777 to July 1778 as General Washington prepares his troops to fight the British

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, American Revolution

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Kristiana Gregory grew up in Manhattan Beach, California, two blocks from the ocean. She's always loved to make up stories [ask her family!], telling her younger siblings whoppers that would leave them wide-eyed and shivering. Her first rejection letter at age ten was for a poem she wrote in class when she was supposed to be doing a math assignment. She's had a myriad of odd jobs: telephone operator, lifeguard, camp counselor, reporter, book reviewer & columnist for the LA Times, and finally author.

Her award-winning books include STALKED, which earned the 2012 Gold Medal for Young Adult Mystery from Literary Classics and is hailed as "historical fiction with a thrilling twist." KIRKUS calls it "an atmospheric confection that will thrill YA readers ... Gregory achieves a realistic, rich atmosphere with insightful details about the immigration process and New York tenements in the early 1900s." Now available on Kindle and in paperback.

JENNY OF THE TETONS [Harcourt] won the Golden Kite Award in 1989 and was the first of two-dozen historical novels for middle grade readers. Several of Kristiana's titles are now available on Kindle including "Curiously Odd Stories: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2" with the celebrated 'Paper Monument', a futuristic book-banning with horrific consequences.

BRONTE'S BOOK CLUB [Holiday House] is set in a town by the sea and is inspired by the girls' book club Kristiana led for several years.

Her most recent title with Scholastic's Dear America series is CANNONS AT DAWN, a sequel to the best-selling THE WINTER OF RED SNOW, which was made into a movie for the HBO Family Channel.

New re-releases in ebooks and paperback on Amazon:
**PRAIRIE RIVER SERIES #1-4
**ORPHAN RUNAWAYS: THE PERILOUS ESCAPE TO BODIE
**CABIN CREEK MYSTERIES #7: THE PHANTOM OF HIDDEN HORSE RANCH
**THE WAITING LIGHT: CLEMENTINE'S STORY -- originally titled "My Darlin' Clementine" [Holiday House] this riveting historical mystery takes place in an Idaho mining camp of 1866, and was Idaho's representative for the 2010 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Library of Congress.

Kristiana and her husband have two adult sons, and live in Idaho with their two golden retrievers. In her spare time she loves to swim, walk, hike, read, and hang out with friends. She's trying to learn to knit, but isn't yet having much success.

Check out Kristiana's blogs at http://notesfromthesunroom.blogspot.com/ for behind-the-scenes stories about her books, and with photos from her childhood.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great fictional account of the winter George Washington’s army spent in Valley Forge. I quite enjoyed it.

Warning: There are a few things that might make some readers squeamish, including the severing of limbs in wartime surgeries.

Content:
* alcohol
* profanity
* wartime gore (hangings, surgeries [including the severing of limbs], etc.)

Recommended for 13+, with parental approval (assuming the parent knows how squeamish their child tends to be).

I was not compensated for this honest review.

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So yes, I have certainly very much appreciated and enjoyed how inherently non extremist with regard to American patriotism author Kristina Gregory’s eleven year old fictional diarist Abigail Jane Stewart presents herself as being in The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart. For my fears that young Abigail’s journal entries might mostly be rah rah rah American nationalism in scope and feel have totally and delightfully been mitigated by the fact that while in The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart Kristina Gregory clearly presents Abigail and her family as avidly in favour of the American Revolution, main protagonist and first person narrator Abigail Stewart also does with her featured (fictional) diary entries (and with an age appropriate voice) very much realistically demonstrate that George Washington and his soldiers are not automatically to be seen and taken as knights in the proverbial shining armour so to speak and thus to be considered and approached as existing above and beyond criticism and contempt. Because indeed, The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart also clearly shows that soldiers will often and generally with not many if any feelings of contrition and guilt steal from the populace, that there is also a rather unfortunate attitude of entitlement present at times, and yes, that farmers etc. should therefore equally be totally willing to relinquish their resources to George Washington’s soldiers and indeed that they should even be forced and mandated to do this (something that is clearly seen as a huge negative by Abigail Stewart’s family and roundly critiqued and condemned within the pages of Abigail’s diary).

Four solid stars for Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, as I have indeed massively appreciated how balanced with regard to the American Revolution and the roles played by American soldiers Abigail Jane Stewart’s fictional diary entries are and have furthermore also very much enjoyed reading about day-to-day family life in late 18th century America (and that Abigail’s journal does not only focus on war and potential battles either). And while I am still left wondering a bit whether author Kristina Gregory having her Abigail write about smallpox is not about inoculations (which were indeed being done in 1777) but actually about vaccinations (which did not happen until 1796 and originally only in England), I am in fact going to assume that it is the former (inoculations), as the wording could in my opinion be referring to either, and that yes, I should probably be giving Gregory the benefit of considering her words about smallpox and how to deal with smallpox (in the guise of her fictional diarist Abigail Jane Stewart) in The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart as more than likely being historically accurate and realistic.

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

The War of Independence has started between the British Empire and the colonists of the Atlantic Coast of North America. Ordinary people are still living ordinary lives doing ordinary tasks while wearing ordinary clothes. The war affects some, but not so many others. Life is life. But when such a historic event gets too near, an ordinary life gets upturned by new, grim realities.

I woke to sleet hitting the window and another sound I'd not heard before. A drumbeat. Papa came in from milking and said, "The soldiers are coming."

Abigail Jane Stewart is the middle child of three girls. Her mother has actually had nine pregnancies, but none of the six sons have made it past their first Winter. A new son is born and the sisters worry themselves to sleep, fearful they will lose yet another brother. "Johnny, thou must live, please." Winter is the defining season for Abigail's family, as it is for all the neighboring families. These are the fierce blizzards of burying snow, from whence the weak do not see Spring. Cellars are stocked with potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips, salted beef, and cider. The farm animals have their barns full of hay and a cozy place to spend the night. It takes each family almost a year to provision themselves against the Pennsylvania winter, so anything to upset that hard-worked balance could mean starvation.

Finally, through the gray, we saw them. Three officers on horseback led. We ran outside to cheer, but the men were quiet and thin. The sight of them took my breath away. "They have no shoes," Elizabeth whispered.

Abigail keeps a diary, matter-of-factly recording all the happenings that take place when General Washington rides into their local area to set up camp. There is washing to be done for the soldiers and boots to be made for their bloody feet. Some soldiers are already too weak to stand, hit low by lack of food and lack of clothing. Winter's breath has come and it will demand a great sacrifice for a new nation to be born.

We watched for several minutes as they passed by. We were unable to speak. Their footprints left blood in the snow.

This is an absorbing piece of historical fiction. It's written for middle-grade readers, but I have found that many works for that age group do quite well with adults, too. The famous Winter layover of Valley Forge is written from a pre-teen's point-of-view which means no macho war cries and more here-and-now needs and wants. How would anyone know they are in the middle of history? Life goes on, older sisters get crushes on soldiers, and Mrs. Washington needs laundry washed. As with today, greed is everywhere. While the locals may cheer for the starving soldiers, they have no guilt in going to where the British are camped to sell eggs and produce and milk. Abby's family doesn't do that, but they understand the fear and confusion that war creates.

As I write this upstairs, my candle low and our room cold, I think I shall never again complain.

Wonderful story and I think I will now search out some of the other books in the DEAR AMERICA series. A decent read about a time of self-sacrifice for a current pandemic world that refuses to do just that.

Book Season = Winter (quilts and biscuits)

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It was very touching and had lots of joyful moments.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid I loved reading the Dear America diaries although I only read a few of them back then. I have recently found myself interested in them again (of course after I gave away all of mine and when the majority of them are still out of print!). However, as of 2010, Scholastic has begun to reprint many of the books as well as release new ones.

The Winter of Red Snow was my second read in this series (however it is the first I am reviewing at this time). I have to admit that I never spent much time thinking about that winter at Valley Forge – and when I did, it was usually about the soldiers and how they were hungry, cold, and drummed into shape my Von Stueben. However, this book led me to consider the effects on the residents of Valley Forge with all of the soldiers camped in the backyards, literally. Throughout this diary we learn about how the families frequently gave up goods, supplies and food for the soldiers, took jobs to help the encampment, and the sicknesses that could affect them too. We also make a quick trip to Philadelphia during this book where the British troops are encamped for the winter and get to see a comparison of how they wintered compared to the Continental army. Trips are made into the Continental encampment and the headquarters building for General Washington and we learn a lot about the lives of the soldiers.

This book is less of an adventure story and I found it a little less enjoyable than some of the other books in this series because of it. Throughout the story the Continental Army is just waiting out the winter and at the end of the book it is spring and they have set out again. There is great historical information though. If introducing the series to a young one in your life, I might not start out with this book, but once they are sucked into the story mix it in.

This was also my first piece of fiction with George and Martha Washington as characters. They were portrayed very much the way I would expect them to be – the General is very regal, strong, but quiet. Martha is warm, caring, and 100% supportive of the cause.

One of the unique aspects of this diary that I enjoyed was the inclusion of recipes in the diary. Martha Washington’s famous 40 egg cake (!) is included as well as a recipe for onion soup, and another that I cannot remember at this time. This lends itself to a cooking experiment!

There was a very extensive historical note at the end of this diary. They set up the events that preceded Valley Forge as well as a summary of what happened afterward to the surrender at Yorktown. There was a lot more of a note in this than many other historicals that I have read and I think this is wonderful especially for the youth who these books are designed for. There is a sequel to this book, Cannons at Dawn and I am interested as to where this book takes us, since at the end of Winter of Red Snow the soldiers have left Valley Forge.

There were two narrators of this book – the first was the narrator for the actual diary and the second narrated the historical note at the end. The narrator for the diary was wonderful at conveying a youthful sense to her narration and really made you feel like you were listening to the inner thoughts of Abby as she wrote in her diary. There was emotion and emphasis where there should be. The narrator of the historical note was sufficient in her role, but I am not sure why they needed two different narrators.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abigail, a cobbler's daughter, describes in her diary the winter Washington and his troops camped out at Valley Forge.

It's OK but gloomy.

At times depressing and brutal: five children drown in a frozen lake, Abigail and sisters visit camps where soliders are starving and sick and there's a large pile that appears to be wood but is in fact limbs, a girl gets her hair shaved as a punishment for selling her hair for a wig, etc. I'll give that it's honest (thieving by soldiers, death, lack of suitable clothing food, etc) but none of it is much fun. Actually, the more I think about it, the more it seems that the lives pretty much suck.

Mrs. Washington is an interesting character here - she's shown both as a kind woman who spends an hour a day in devotion and who regularly visits with soldiers and prays with them but also as a lady who sent her slave to get 40 eggs from the locals to bake her husband a cake.

The epilogue is an interesting touch but it makes it out to seem like the characters are real people when they are not. Historical notes do appear at the end of the book and I get the feeling this was well researched but there aren't any source notes.

Are all Dear America books such downers?

[Ana Mardoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Winter of Red Snow (Valley Forge) / 0-590-22653-3

Like almost all of the Dear America books, there's a wealth of fascinating history here, from the big picture look at the American army during the winter of 1777 to the day-to-day life details, like cleaning a chimney by lowering a flapping rooster down it! As is typical for the Dear America books, the author presents a balanced view of a complicated situation: although the narrator and her family are avidly patriotic, they do not fail to notice that the wintering army isn't above robbing them near-blind to feed and clothe the soldiers.

Nor does our little 11-year-old narrator much care for the harsh treatment of one of the black freedmen in the army - she is angered that the white soldiers will not treat the black soldiers with the respect and honor they deserve. The narrator's older sister also provides a useful look at the practice of "Bounty Shirts" - the pretty girl sews her name into a shirt for a soldier, hoping to snag a handsome husband. Initially disappointed that her gift goes to an 'ugly' soldier, she later realizes that the soldier was kind, polite, and honest and decides that she values those qualities more than looks or bearing.

Though violence is kept to a relative minimum (no battles are pitched in the narrator's front yard), there are quite a few hangings and whippings witnessed by the narrator. There are also numerous visits to the army hospital, where the reader is shown several amputations, as well as a trough full of amputated hands and feet. Small children may be disturbed by the imagery of soldiers walking barefoot through the snow, leaving bloody footprints behind them. It is also worth noting that several small children die in a skating accident on a thawing pond. Oddly, the "George Washington praying" legend is repeated here, even though almost no historians give it any credence. I don't know why the author chose to include it, but there you are.

~ Ana Mardoll

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Jane Stewart, called Abby by her family and friends, is eleven years old and living in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania when the American army arrives there in December 1777. Abby is mostly worried about her mother and her new baby brother, because five of her brothers died in infancy and she is afraid for this new baby. She thinks war is an adventure and doesn’t understand how serious it is.

However, when Abby, her mother, and her two sisters get a job doing laundry for General Washington, Abby and her sisters learn firsthand about the horrors of war. Determined to do their part to help, they sew for the soldiers, and visit the sick and injured soldiers in the encampment. In the process, Abby matures and understands the sacrifices of the soldiers, and that freedom is worth fighting for.

I first read The Winter of Red Snow in 1996, when it was first published as one of the first books in the Dear America series. Each book in the series is the fictional diary of a preteen or young teenage girl living during an important time in American history. Out of the many books in the series, this one remains one of my favorites. The Dear America series truly brings history to life and helped me develop a love for historical fiction, and I am glad to see the series is being brought back into print for a new generation of readers. Highly recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hands down the coolest thing about this book is the built in ribbon bookmark. Red snow refers to blood. Anything else about this book I completely forgot.

[Romancebooksandmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book it may be for kids but that doesn't stop me reading it over and over

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit that I bought this book in large part because I wanted to see whether the Dear America books were ever actually good, or whether I imagined that they were good, or whether they only seemed good because I was so young when I read them.

I generally enjoyed this book. I like the diary format and snapshot of every day life. Also, I enjoyed the imagined interactions between the Stewart family and the Washingtons.

Things I didn't like as much: the lack of depth that comes with a child's diary as a format; interactions with historical figures that seemed a bit like a stretch; and the crazy scandal of Lucy's hair. It's just hair! AND women usually wore bonnets! I didn't see the big deal, really.

Anyway, I think it's still pretty solid as a children's historical fiction, but as an adult who's read a lot of really thorough, well-written historical fiction, it doesn't quite match up to that level. I'd still recommend it to kids to help develop an interest in both history and reading.

[Allyson Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books are SO GOOD! i also cannot believe i read this in like second grade,,, they were cutting people's feet off and hanging people?? hello?? anyway cant wait to read more of them and relive my elementary school hyper-fixation

[Anabella]

i love this whole series

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about eleven year old,Abigail Jane Stewart. She and her two sisters, newborn baby brother and parents live in Valley Forge, PA in 1777.Abigail begins her diary during the Revolutionary War, as hundreds of poor, freezing, and starving soldiers spend the winter in Abigail’s hometown. During this time, Abigail and her family work for George and Martha Washington.She witnessed hangings and drumming outs even whippings! Most of the families suffered loss.Abby and her sisters learn firsthand about the horrors of war. Determined to do their part to help, they sew for the soldiers, and visit the sick and injured soldiers in camps. In the process, Abby matures and understands the sacrifices of the soldiers, and that freedom is worth fighting for.

I really enjoyed this book.I enjoyed the interactions between the Stewart family and the Washingtons.I really liked the way the author wrote the book and I would reccomend this book.

I didnt really like the crazy scandal of Lucy's hair. It's just her hair!But I guess that maybe women were expected to have long beautiful hair...

[Brennan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently been reading The Winter of Red Snow, by Robert Waguespack. Abigail Stewart is living in Valley Forge, Pennaylvania with her two sisters, baby brother, and parents. They clean general Washington"s shirts and have acutally met him and his wife! Unfortunately, it is a time of great tragedy and loss. Her family is doing all they can for the soldiers, but it's hard to help sombody who steals you sheep, hens, pigs, and even fences. They sneak into peoples barns to sleep and don't bother to clean up after. Lot's of them are sick, have no shoes, and most are losing at least one body part.

I think the auther did a good job with the book. it is a tragic book, but it has a lot of voice and the words they use like "ye" and "thou" bring the story to life. The book is a diary with dates, times, fictional and non-fictional characters, and real places. It's so interesting to hear about a time so different then ours. overall I rate this story four stars. It can be heartbraking, but I just can't put it down!

[Brittany Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a historical fiction book intended for middle school aged children. This book is about a girl named Abby who's mother has just had a baby. Abby is worried about this baby because the other 5 her mother had before had died when they where at that age. Abby and her family work cleaning laundry for the army, sewing and visiting the injured men. Abby's and her family hear all kinds of stories about the war while visiting the injured men and really see how horrible the war is. I gave this book 4 stars because it shows through out the book how Abby begins to grow up and become mature. Also, this book is appealing to young readers because it gives them a chance to see what life is like in the 1700's something they will never get to experience. This also shows reader that we should be thankful for a country and the men and women who served it. Most importantly it shows the reader how important family is and that family should always stick together.

[Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A part of the Dear America series, this particular book focuses on the Revolutionary War as seen through the eyes of eleven year old Abigail. The entries describe the grim realities of the war that freed us from England's rule. These books are a wonderful way for students to learn more about these specific times in American history. The writers' stories make past events come alive for the readers and help instill a greater appreciation for our predecessors. Also included at the back of each book is a historical note about the time period as well as reproductions of important documents and paintings during that era. The only downside to these books are the new covers they are coming out with. The new covers take away from the diary feel and look too modern...hate the new look but love the stories within.

[Amanda Lauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though these books are written for children, I really enjoy reading fictional diaries written by young ladies living through tumultuous times in history. This diary is in the hand of Abigail Stewart and concerns life in Valley Forge, PA, in 1777 when General Washington was stationed there with his troops. Kristiana Gregory does a great job of bringing long-ago times to life, showing the good and the bad. Some parts of this story are incredibly sad, yet the book shows the optimism and hope that the citizens in the fledgling United States held during the Revolutionary War. I enjoyed the epilogue as well where the supposed details of our main characters' grown up years are spelled out.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. Informative little story.

[Emory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Dear America book didn’t resonate quite as strongly with me. I think the fact that there were so many real people took me out of the story. I have found that I get frustrated when my fictional characters interact with well known historical figures. I am not sure why.

I am taken aback that this main character is ELEVEN, but it makes sense because she is written quite young. The poor thing had a very traumatic year, however, with tragedy upon tragedy, and I felt bad for everyone in the story. I wonder why KG chose to make her so young?

This is one of the more gruesome DA’s I’ve read, and it does not sugar coat the realities of war and the Valley Forge encampment. I like that it did not paint the American soldiers as saints who could do no wrong. I feel like I learned quite a bit about the war.

All in all, this was a good story about loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of war. Baby Jonny was my favorite character.

RANKING

1. Light/ Storm
2. I Walk in Dread
3. Seeds of Hope
4. The Winter of the Red Snow

[Katrina G · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

As much as I love reading historical books, I must admit I've always been more enamored with WWII than the Revolution. So it's an unfortunate fact that most of what I know about the Revolution as an adult is thanks to the Hamilton soundtrack.

With that being said, it was delightful to read more of what Washington did in history. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Lafayette as well. I'd like to give thanks to the Hamilton soundtrack once more, because I wouldn't have been so excited about some of these characters without it despite this being written before the musical was even an inking of an idea in the universe.

I always find something so interesting about seeing war from the perspective of a child. I think it has to do with being a child myself when my father was deployed to fight in a war, but I digress.

Abby handled herself pretty well despite some of the awful things she saw. She was only 11, but she handled seeing hanged deserters and amputated limbs much better than I would have as a 24 year old adult. I don't know if I find that strength commendable or unrealistic, and I think that's one of the things holding me back from rating this higher

[☯Emily Ginder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful diary of a young girl who lived near Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. She sees the soldiers without shoes and socks. She sees hangings for those who try to desert. She meets Martha Washington and other wives of Revolutionary War generals. She sees Alexander Hamilton and Charles Lee. It was difficult for the inhabitants with all the soldiers around, shooting cannons, taking food and resources from the locals. She did not regret that the school was usurped for medical purposes.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the facts and anecdotes about life in colonial America. I also liked seeing George and Martha Washington.

[MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear America book about a girl at Valley Forge in 1777.
George and Martha Washington go thru the long winter,
Abagail is 14 y/o living in the close area to the camp. Her
mother has agreed to do General Washington's laundry
so Abagail is privileged to meet many of the key men of that
time period.

Well written

[Jersy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read from this series and, like the first, it is kind of depressing but also very charming and hopeful. It shows history from a very personal perspective, while also including known personalities and events, and tells it in a way relatable to children as well as adults. The characters are likable but also very much of their time and the reader is confronted with questions of morality (did the various main and minor characters do the right thing in this desperate situation?) without anything being spoon fed.
I wish there was more historical fiction like that, that makes you experience every day history without feeling the need to modernize characters or put some magical spin or romantic focus on it.
Recommended for every age group, especially if American history is not the one you're most familiar with.

[JC Roadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first dear America book I have read I loved it!! 💜

[soggy boy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our fourth book in this journey is the second in publication order, The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart by Kristina Gregory. We already know Kristina Gregory from my last review, the oregon trail diary.

QUALITY rating: 4/10 George Washingtons. This book was teetering dangerously on the precipice of Straight-up-bad valley. I read half of it and then didn’t get around to the rest for about two months.

DEAR AMERICA rating: I’ll be generous and give this one 8/10 Battlefield Surgeries. By no means did it reach the heights of Hattie Campbell, but there were some suitably gruesome moments, and plenty of death and sorrow.

Full review on tumblr:
https://myheartisafish.tumblr.com/pos...

[Katieb (MundieMoms) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristina Gregory captures the innocence of childhood and growing up during Amercia's Revolutionary War. America just gained it's independence from England, but the fighting hasn't ceased. The years are 1776-177, and winter is a brutal one. Abigail's story is one that will capture the heart and attention of young readers and adults alike who want to gain an understanding of what it was like to live in Valley Forge, PA during 1777.

Abigail and her family are just trying to get by when General George Washington and his army of battered men come to Valley Forge. Through Abigail's eyes, I got to experience through her story telling just how horrible the conditions were for the men. In the dead of winter the army has little food, some have no coats and no shoes, hence the title Winter of Red Snow. It's through Abigail's story that my admiration for George Washington grew, as Abigail sees him kneel in prayer, the site of his famous Prayer of Valley Forge. A religious man and strong leader, George Washington was kind to Abigail, her family and their neighbors who gave what they had to help sustain General Washington's army.

Abigail grows up quick with the things she witnesses during the army's stay in Valley Forge. Abigail's family has dwelt with heartache before when they lost a baby. Now Abigail has a new baby brother to help take care of, but it's with fear they might lose him again. She also has tasks like tending to her family's daily needs, attending to General Washington's Laundry, helping General Washington's Wife visit the sick and dying soldiers and her family takes in a widowed wife of a solider who's died.

Abigail learns what it means to be true to your country, be faithful in her beliefs and be to proud to be an American. Her story is one that captured my heart and one I highly recommend for teachers for their classrooms, and for those who love to read about history. I know these series are for middle graders, but I find myself completely caught up in the stories. It's like finding my Great-Great Grandmother's journal and sitting down to read it. Once I start to read it, I can't stop.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristina Gregory captures the innocence of childhood and growing up during Amercia's Revolutionary War. America just gained it's independence from England, but the fighting hasn't ceased. The years are 1776-177, and winter is a brutal one. Abigail's story is one that will capture the heart and attention of young readers and adults alike who want to gain an understanding of what it was like to live in Valley Forge, PA during 1777.

Abigail and her family are just trying to get by when General George Washington and his army of battered men come to Valley Forge. Through Abigail's eyes, I got to experience through her story telling just how horrible the conditions were for the men. In the dead of winter the army has little food, some have no coats and no shoes, hence the title Winter of Red Snow. It's through Abigail's story that my admiration for George Washington grew, as Abigail sees him kneel in prayer, the site of his famous Prayer of Valley Forge. A religious man and strong leader, George Washington was kind to Abigail, her family and their neighbors who gave what they had to help sustain General Washington's army.

Abigail grows up quick with the things she witnesses during the army's stay in Valley Forge. Abigail's family has dwelt with heartache before when they lost a baby. Now Abigail has a new baby brother to help take care of, but it's with fear they might lose him again. She also has tasks like tending to her family's daily needs, attending to General Washington's Laundry, helping General Washington's Wife visit the sick and dying soldiers and her family takes in a widowed wife of a solider who's died.

Abigail learns what it means to be true to your country, be faithful in her beliefs and be to proud to be an American. Her story is one that captured my heart and one I highly recommend for teachers for their classrooms, and for those who love to read about history. I know these series are for middle graders, but I find myself completely caught up in the stories. It's like finding my Great-Great Grandmother's journal and sitting down to read it. Once I start to read it, I can't stop.

[Geraldine Orlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about eleven year old,Abigail Jane Stewart. She and her two sisters, baby brother and parents live in Valley Forge, PA. circa 1777. She keeps a journal of the events that unfold when General George Washington tries to form his Continental Army near her home. Her family and the surrounding neighbor's lives become consumed in assisting the general and the army through a tough winter. Though the book is fictional it revolves around real people and real events. This book surprised me. I thought it would be a quaint recollection of a young girl's life during war time. However, this book is packed with more drama than Margaret Michell's "Gone with the Wind", only it's not melodramatic the events are simply stated and to the point. Readers will certainly gain an insight into the difficulties facing people of that time and how they coped. The way the events unfold, and how they intermingle with Abigail's life, you will not think it a history lesson but it is. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to youngsters. You can tell by the way it's written that the author really likes the subject matter.