School Library Journal-Rezension
Gr 3-5-An adequate historical fiction entry set in California in 1905. Spirited, independent Sarah Jefferson, 11, can't wait to grow up and move away from her family's farm to Los Angeles. But when word comes of an attempt to ``steal'' valley water for the city, she gets involved in the local farmers' violent protest. When the mob's lamps inadvertently set the Jefferson's barn ablaze, Sarah, her mother, and twin brother Samuel try to rescue the animals. Sam is struck by a falling beam and Sarah must ride through the night to get a doctor. In the calmer days that follow, a compromise is offered to help the farmers and to send water to Los Angeles. This brief book is well written and fast paced. West appends an interesting postscript that gives greater background on the situation and lets readers know what eventually happened to the Owens Valley. Those who get past the dark cover will enjoy Sarah's story, and gain from it a painless history lesson.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book-Rezension
Despite the books' unimaginative design, the stories are generally engaging bits of historical fiction, set in the United States between 1870 and 1941. Each young female protagonist struggles against sexism and prejudice, whether she goes on strike at a New York sweatshop in 1909 or witnesses the unfair treatment of her Japanese-American friend during World War II. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
