School Library Journal Review
Gr 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator ``because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel.'' However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
A prolonged, wordy historical novel enlarges a small spy episode during the American Revolution, involving a noble horse, its rider, Tempe Wick, and some shady characters. Mary Cooper, the narrator, is more fully developed than Tempe, the protagonist. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Written to order for the ""Great Episodes"" series, a novelization of a legend with as little authenticity as the one about Washington and the cherry tree: how a young woman near Morristown, N.J., hid her horse in her house in order to prevent his being commandeered by mutinous Revolutionary soldiers. Best here are the author's background notes, scrupulously distinguishing fact from fiction: with minor exceptions, 'all the characters are historical, but some of their histories have been changed. Most significantly, 14-year-old Mary, Tempe's cousin, has been imported to provide a young narrator since Tempe herself was 22 at the time of the incident. But the novel itself, though crammed with authentic detail, is much less satisfactory. The major characters are inconsistently drawn: Tempe's irascibility and coldness are rationally explained, but sit oddly with her compassion for the hungry crowding her doorstep; Mary is a pastiche of actions contrived to make her a convenient observer. The language is accessible but often clumsy, an uncomfortable blend of period phrases (""must needs"") and conspicuous anachronisms. Worst, the philosophical underpinnings are muddled and inadequately developed; e.g, Tempe spends most of the book learning that compromise is morally suspect, but Mary's mentor-brother concludes by explaining that it is a ""necessary commodity."" Despite the exemplary documentation, second-rate. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 7-10. The winter of 1781 was bitter for patriot troops camped on the Wick farm in New Jersey. Supplies were scarce, and many of the soldiers and their families were dying of hunger and exposure. Mary Cooper, 14, sent to the farm of her favorite cousin Tempe Wick when she protested her brother's dealings with the British, is thrilled to be in a home so near the action. But the war has changed 22-year-old Tempe. She's still spirited and beautiful, but she's tired of people begging for food, bitter about the death of her father, oppressed by endless farm chores, and weary of the constant compromises needed to stay out of the war. It's only when some discontented soldiers try to commandeer her horse to lead a mutiny that she is forced to take a stand. Feisty Mary Cooper narrates the story, based on the legend of Tempe Wick, who hid her horse inside her house to keep it from rebellious soldiers. With historically grounded characters, such as charismatic General Anthony Wayne, and conflicts between cousins to add tension, the book is a suspenseful read with enough everyday detail to make it realistic and enough adventure to make it exciting. The civilian perspective reminds readers that war is also fought by those at home. ~--Candace Smith
