‘Dear America’ choice for girls’ historical fiction

DEAR AMERICA — DREAMS IN THE GOLDEN COUNTRY and A JOURNEY TO THE NEW WORLD by Kathryn Lasky, Scholastic Inc., New York, DREAMS — 1998, 188 pages, $9.95; and JOURNEY — 1996, 173 pages, $10.95.

There has never been a better time for girls’ historical fiction. Our daughters can experience riveting chapters of our nation’s story through the eyes of assertive, appealing and very human young protagonists. We parents can also enjoy and learn from those books.

Scholastic Inc.’s “Dear America” series offers a time travel passport. The books are presented in an intimate diary form. I would recommend them for family read-togethers since many issues the heroines encounter are still relevant today. Beautifully crafted with attached ribbon bookmarks, at a very modest price, they also make wonderful presents.

Maine’s own Kathryn Lasky has contributed two volumes to this series. Her protagonists, although separated by nearly three centuries, share a common and timely quest. Both leave all that is dear and familiar to journey to America to escape persecution.

The 12-year-old heroine of “A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple” sails on the Mayflower in 1620 to escape religious persecution. She writes of the dangers and indignities of the long, crowded ocean voyage; the struggle to survive the harsh first winter in the New World; and the gradual adaptation of the survivors aided by their new Indian friends. By the book’s end they have prospered enough to celebrate the first Thanksgiving.

Remember’s own personal journey is one of growth through loss. During the voyage she vacillates between frustration with seasickness and lack of privacy, concerns about the well-being of fellow travelers, and terror when a main beam of the Mayflower breaks during a storm at sea.

When the Mayflower is finally anchored in Plimoth Harbor she fairly bubbles with joy and anticipation. Then the rugged new land takes its toll on the Pilgrims. Remember loses her own dear mother. She declares, “It shall always be winter in my head. I am black in my heart and full of wrath.” Fortunately she is wrong and the thawing of her heart makes for beautiful reading.

The 12-year-old heroine of “Dreams in the Golden Country: The Diary of Zipporah Feldman, a Jewish Immigrant Girl” flees Russia in 1903 to escape the pograms, the vicious attacks against Jews. Ashamed to be placed with the smallest children in schools she plunges into assimilation with a vengeance, pursuing the very American dream of becoming an actress. Her mother desperately clings to Old World customs, lashing out at her husband when he abandons traditional religious practices and trying without success to marry off her union leader oldest daughter through a matchmaker. When middle daughter Miriam marries a gentile she declares her dead and sits shiva, a period of mourning. In Zipporah’s words, “one foot in the shtetl, one foot in America. She drives us all crazy.”

In her final diary entry Zipporah relates that her heart is full of joy. Her successful performance in her first play has begun a reconciliation between her mother and Miriam. These books can inspire some lively family discussions and activities.

Find out about your immigrant ancestors or interview a recent newcomer to America. Why did they come? What were their experiences like? What do they treasure the most about our nation? How have they changed as a result of their journey?

What values did the families in these books treasure? Did their values change as a result of their experiences? Were these changes harder for some family members than others? What values does your family hold most dear?

Are there ways you can offer friendship or help to newcomers or vistors to our nation? If you live anywhere near the University of Maine you can meet people from all over the world.

Have fun reading. Remember this time of year most of television is reruns. What’s new and hot is at your local library and bookstore.