Coats, J. Anderson The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming,
278 pages. Atheneum (Simon), 2017. $17.
Language: PG (5 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
Jane’s stepmother, Mrs. D.,
has dragged Jane and her young stepbrother across the United States
in order to start a new life in
Washington Territory. Mrs. D. is sure
that wealthy men are there for the choosing and she’ll be able to just keep
house instead of working to support two children. Life on board the ship is an eye-opener for
Jane and Life in Seattle is absolutely nothing like the pamphlet promised. Both Jane and Mrs. D. have much growing up to
do in this new land.
I have read books about the drive to bring marriageable
girls and women to Washington Territory before (Voyage of the Continental), but
I like Jane’s version even more. I felt
like I was down in the dirt of the fledgling city with her and her challenges,
her friendships, and her learning all touched me deeply. Of course, I know that historical fiction is
not the biggest seller for school libraries.
But this book will find its readers.
If you are looking for a book to read aloud with your daughter, buy
this. And if I lived in Seattle, I would
share this even more widely as a classroom read.
EL, MS – OPTIONAL.
Cindy, Library Teacher
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