"'Remember, you are a sailor's daughter.' Papa told Caroline, 'Everyone must sometimes face stormy seas. Good sailors learn to ride the storms through to better weather.'"
Ages: 8 - 10
Grade Level: 3 - 4 Pages: 104
Time Period: early 1800
The year is 1812 and young Caroline Abott is tired of hearing rumors of another war with Britain. She doesn't even want to think about it. She would much rather sail around with her father on Lake of Ontario and dream of owning her own vessel one day. Yet suddenly, like an unexpected storm, war comes upon the Abotts and the other inhabitants of Sackets Harbor, New York. As Caroline struggles to navigate the changes that the war brings, will she be able to "learn to ride the storms through to better weather?" Meet Caroline, by Kathleen Ernst, is the first book in a series and a good introduction to the War of 1812 from the American point of view.
The book does a wonderful job of introducing readers to the life of a young girl growing up in a sailing town during the early 1800s. There is a gallery in the beginning of the book depicting and describing each important character. There are also full-page and in-text illustrations throughout the book. I recommend reading the section in the back titled, "Looking Back." Here you will find more information and pictures about the time period and the causes of the war.
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Content Warnings
Content that some individuals may find controversial or objectionable. Attention was given to include content which may offend people of a particular culture, race or religion and details which the sensitive child may find unsettling or troublesome.
"No Spoilers" offers a summary of content issues while avoiding spoilers. "With Spoilers" lists the potential content issues in detail.
No Spoilers:
Use of archaic reference to people groups, brief mention of kidnapping and death.
With Spoilers:
Language
Indian is used throughout the text to refer to Native Americans (a term used during the time period). The section, "Looking Back," uses Native Americans.
Sensitive Content
Caroline's father and her cousin are taken prisoners (ch. 2).
Mentions of the British kidnapping sailors.
Mention of grandfather's death during the Revolution.
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