What do You think about Calico Bush (1998)?
I somewhat disagree. I read this book in 4th grade and loved it. When I re-read it in 8th grade it didn't hold the same magic it had when I was younger. I think parents should make the call on if their child would be able to handle the touchier scenes that you mentioned. While I felt moved rather than disturbed by those chapters I do know friends who would have reacted much worse had they read it at nine or ten years old.
—Amy
Calico Bush by Rachel Field, illustrated by Allen Lewis is the story of 13 year old Marguerite Ledoux, an orphaned French girl, who travels to colonial Maine with the Sargent family as their bound-girl, where her courage and ability to withstand hardships becomes apparent. Lewis' wood engravings give an authentic feel to this historical novel.Despite a text with several prejudicial references to "Injuns" and a rude comment about a cross-eyed person, which will offend modern sensibilities, Calico Bush provides a fairly authentic look at colonial life in New England. As a descendant of New England colonial settlers, including a branch in Maine as early as 1700, I found this novel of strong interest. While Caleb's teasing is annoying, the prejudice against the French seems realistic, as do hardships such as terrible snowstorms, the difficulties of keeping young children safe, & awful hunger, including having to eat seed meant for planting next spring's crops. Indians were indeed a constant potential threat. My favorite characters were Marguerite, and Hepsa, with her wisdom and skills gained over the years. Despite the prejudice against Indians, the mean attitude of Caleb, and the stubbornness of Mr. Sargent about staying on land the Indians consider extremely important, I give Calico Bush 4 stars. I do still prefer the writing in The Witch of Blackbird Pond and [The Sign of the Beaver], also set in colonial New England.For ages 10 to 14, historical fiction, American history, Maine, Newbery honor, kids fiction, orphans, and fans of Rachel Field and Allen Lewis.
—David
YA fiction about a 12-year-old French girl who is indentured to a pioneer family homesteading on the Maine coast. It's no "Little House," obviously, although it's chock full of offensive references to "Injuns." It's also no "Country of the Pointed Firs," though it is similarly evocative of the beauty of the wild Maine coast, just not as artful as Orne-Jewett. Despite its failings, I am a sucker for pioneer-themed YA and Calico Bush didn't disappoint in its descriptions of maple sugaring, log cabin-building, winter hardship and the gory accidents that befall pioneer children.
—Torie
