Reviewer: Mary Lignor
Title: Elise the Actress - (Sisters in Time)
Author: Norma Jean Lutz
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-59310657-7
Release Date: February 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Youth/Juvenile Fiction
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: Youth ages 9-12
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: Youth Ages 8-12
Year Setting: 1865
Overall Rating: 4.0
Norma Jean's Page: www.barbourbooks.com/author/detail/norma-jean-lutz/
Hi All:
This book takes place during the last days of the Civil War. Our main character is Elise Bannon – a girl who loves to perform for others. By using her developing acting skills, Elise helps family and friends forget – or, at least, forget for a while – the news from the wretched battlefields of the Civil War.
Elise lives in Ohio, which was technically a northern state during the War. However, there are many parents in Ohio who had sons who fought for the Confederacy and the prejudice these families face is extraordinary. As we witness through young Elise’s eyes, the human conflicts that arose during this time period, we also watch the President assassinated and the world thrown into a state of unrest. Elise has problems of her own, including the death of a good friend and the capture by a band of deserters. As her own life changes as rapidly as the rest of the United States, Elise tries desperately to hold on to her hope for the future. Her faith is what she needs to depend on to see her through.
What struck me the most was that Elise Bannon is hardly any different from the young women we see everyday. The loss of innocence, the desperation to hope and the struggle to retain the faith they have within them is still as hard today as it was back then. They must still go out into a frightening world and accomplish their goals. Unfortunately, the world being what it is, their struggle continues to worsen with each passing decade and new threat to our way of life.
I highly recommend this book to young women who should see just how life was lived in the 1800’s and how difficult it can be for people at home to understand the concept of war and all the pain and suffering it causes. For adults, as well, seeing the world through a child’s eyes has always been a reality check for most. I believe we should continue to read books like this and pray that the future generation will be able to solve the problems that we’re leaving behind.
Talk to you soon,
Mary
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