Is Sarah Bold Enough?

All Sarah wants for her 11^th birthday is a pair of rollerblades, so she's greatly disappointed when her parents buy her a Colonial doll. It seems like the worst birthday present ever and she decides she will never love it as much as her other dolls. After naming it Miss Prickle, she throws it against her wall and is transported back in time to 1765. She may be in her hometown of Guilford, Connecticut- but almost nothing is the same. Sarah is shocked when the people she encounters think she's a runaway slave. No one believes her when she tries to explain who she is, and that she needs to get back to her family. Even more surprising is the reaction that the people in town have when she stands up for herself and tries to stop people from treating her unfairly. She’s been learning about the American Revolution in school, but experiencing the racism that existed at that time is very hard for Sarah to comprehend. With the help of a reverend and his family, she's able to sleep in safety and learn some of the customs of the time period. Is it possible that standing up for herself will get Sarah in more trouble than she can handle? Will she ever see her parents again? Travel back in time, and you’ll be turning the pages to find out what happens. 

I loved Sarah the Bold by Eileen Lettick. The research in this great historical fiction book made the story come alive. The details about the town of Guilford inspire me to learn more about its history. Sarah is a character who stands up for what she believes in. Her boldness made me worried at times because people thought she was a runaway slave, and I didn’t want her to get hurt. I liked reading about the people she met in 1765. It was especially fun when Sarah was in disguise and ran into an important figure from history. Her trip back in time opened her eyes to what life was like in the past, and it makes the reader think about how ridiculous it is that people have ever been judged because of the color of their skin. After reading this fascinating story I look forward to visiting the Henry Whitfield House in Guilford, Connecticut. It’s now a museum and the oldest building in the state! I recommend this book to anyone in third grade and up who enjoys historical fiction or time travel. Teachers will definitely want to include this book in a historical fiction unit. My favorite way to learn about history is through reading historical fiction. I look forward to more stories by this author.

* Eileen Lettick is generously giving away a signed paperback copy of Sarah the Bold.  All you have to do is comment on this review or stop back on Saturday and comment on our interview with the author. The winner will be randomly selected. Good luck! 

Has anyone else read Sarah the Bold by Eileen Lettick? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L