The World War I Diary of Eliza Bates
Uxbridge, Ontario, 1916
by Jean Little
ISBN: 0-439-96900-X Hardcover
240 pages
Ages 8-12
5 ½" x 7 5/8"
It has been two long years since Eliza's beloved older brother, Hugo, went away to war. Caught up in his enthusiasm, she couldn't understand her parents' less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Now that her other brother, Jack, has also enlisted, she yearns for the safe return of both brothers. If only she had a friend that she could talk to about her feelings. . .
An Excerpt from Eliza's Diary
Sunday, January 7, 1916
War is confusing. One minute you are excited. The flags are flying and the march music makes you stride out. You can feel your eyes sparkle and your arms swing to the thumping of the drums or the drone of the bagpipes. (Father says the right word is "skirl" but I am not so sure and this is my journal.) Then you hear about the wounded men and you see the lists of missing and dead. I cannot understand how it can all be part of the same thing. Why were Hugo and Jack in such a hurry to go, as if it were all a huge adventure, when it might end so terribly? Is it the flags flying and the band music and the uniforms? God could not let anything terrible happen to Hugo or Jack or Rufus.
From Dear Canada: Brothers Far from Home , text copyright © 2003 by Jean Little.
"I must say, that Brothers Far from Home is one of the best books that I have ever read! Some parts were so sad, like when her beloved brother, Hugo died. It literally made me cry, and when she threw away her penny whistle and her "Dear Reader" found it. This story was so moving. I felt that it was so real!"
Jaymi G., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This was one of the first books my mother bought me from the Dear Canada series, I spent hours in my room reading, and I couldn't help but cry. You guys make the best books, and I say keep it up!"
Selina M., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I knew WWI was sad, but this book showed me how much! It was sort of a starter for me, because it was the first Dear Canada book I ever read. It's full of heart, humour and times where you burst out crying. I totally recommend this as a must-read. I felt like I was Eliza the whole time!"
Sophie C., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY loved this book!"
Jordy S., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"Brothers Far from Home is a VERY, VERY sad book, and I almost cried except I was in school. I LOVED it."
Stephanie E., Age 12, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I love this book. I love all the Dear Canada books, but this one is at the top of my list."
Jillian, Age 12, Quebec, Rating: 10
"This book was so good and sad. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!"
Linda K., Age 9, Ontario, Rating: 10
"Brothers Far from Home is great!!!! It makes me think of my three brothers going to war and one of them dying. This is my favourite book."
Victoria P., Age 10, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This is probably the best book that I ever read!!!"
Laura H., Age 10, Newfoundland and Labrador, Rating: 10
"I found this book so sad that I almost cried. I can't believe how real the books seem."
Melanie Y., Alberta, Age 13, Rating: 10
"Definitely one of the greatest books in the entire Dear Canada series! A real heart-wrenching historical novel of one young girl's experiences during World War I: worrying for her beloved older brothers, writing to her diary of her passionate longing for a true friend amongst many siblings, and her day-to-day life as a Presbyterian minister's daughter in the early 1900s. Highly recommended for all fans of historical fiction!"
Kissabelle J., Age 14, U.S.A., Rating: 10
|
