Cannons at Dawn

July 1, 2011

Gr 4-8-Gregory picks up Abigail Stewart's tale where she left off in The Winter of Red Snow (Scholastic, 1996). The 12-year-old's father joined the Continental Army in 1778. It's now 1779, and Abigail and her family follow it when they are left homeless by a house fire. She pens her diary over the next three years, describing in great detail the rigors of camp life as they walk behind the troops up and down the mid-Atlantic colonies. She matures from a girl into a young woman and marries a soldier named Willie. The romance blooms slowly, but convincingly, and Abby is pregnant at the conclusion. Her voice matures as the story proceeds and carries the range of emotions one would expect from a thoughtful teenager. This is an unromanticized yet engaging portrayal of civilian camp followers, whose lives were extremely difficult, uncertain, and dangerous. The terrible conditions of the winter of 1779-'80 are highly detailed-the Army and its followers survived more than 26 snowstorms with low rations and few clothing supplies. Gregory does an excellent job of describing the "life goes on" mentality that families adopted. Couples married, children were born, people of all ages died from illnesses and accidents. Historical events such as alliances, battles, sieges, and other military maneuvers are intertwined with the telling of these everyday events. The "Dear America" website has many interactive features (crafts, recipes, artifacts, etc.) that help bring authenticity to Abby's fictional life.-Lisa Crandall, formerly at Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

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