Reader response toA Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos. Back cover reads: "I, Catherine Cabot Hall, aged 13 years, 6 months, 29 days... do begin this book. So begins this journal of a girl coming of age in 19th century New Hampshire. Catherine records both the hardships of pioneer life and its many joys. Even as she struggles with her mother's death and father's eventual remarriage, Catherine's indomitable spirit makes this saga an oftentimes uplifting and joyous one."
My rxn: Meh.
There are a lot of obvious references to Sarah, Plain and Tall, the Little House Series, and Little Women. It wasn't all that great. I really had to force myself to read it. It's 144 pages, and it took me about 4 hours to read it! GAH! Blos plants a seed of mystery to snare the reader's attention, but she doesn't keep it for long. Blechk. I wouldn't use this in my classroom, nor do I award it the Word Nerd Seal of Approval. I might recommend it to someone who likes the aforementioned books, but it doesn't strike my fancy at all. One saving grace: it does have a few great vocab words... and MY FAVORITE WORD OF ALL TIME!
Quotes:
"Cassie and I are quite agreed: we'll not reveal affection until certain of its return" (15).
"Like charity, stealing begins at home" (26). Oh how I WISH some parents would realize this.
"resplendent" (57).
"Men have two ears but one tongue; therefore ought they hear twice as much as they intend to speak" (129).
"harangueing" (132).
"trust, and not submission, defines obedience" (139).
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