Sarah Bishop

Just kinda boring? The way the protagonist reacts to events is really understated and that just didn't work for me. There was so little emotional impact for all the things that happened and so I just didn't care that much either. I've enjoyed other books by this author so I'm not sure if this book is a different style or if my tastes have just changed.

Nitpicky note; protagonist describes making 3 bushels of acorns into flour in 2 days...I have made acorn flour and there is no way that is physically possible.

Sarah Bishop was a hermit who lived near Ridgefeild, Connecticut during and after the revolutionary war. While she certainly existed, folklore about her varies, which leaves enough mysteries to make her story ripe for fictionalization. Scott O'Dell, Newbery winner, creates a Sarah Bishop who left society after the war took everything from her and she was falsely accused of arson. The book is fast paced with short chapters and lots of action, which could endear it to reluctant readers. Many historical aspects of the revolutionary war are touched on, making it a possibility for revolutionary war units. Fans of survival stories might like Sarah's descriptions of her survival in the wild, but others will be disappointed in the lack of depth show more of these descriptions. Overall, Scott's tale of Bishop verges on superficial. Characters are not as developed as they could be. While there is some resolution to her anger with and fear of society, some readers will feel like the story abruptly stops. If this book is not already in a library's collection, addition is not necessary. There is better revolutionary war fiction for this age group out there. show less

This is well-written historical fiction about a real person and it certainly held my interest. Sarah acted much more like an adult than a fifteen-year-old girl, but perhaps that is to be expected in her traumatic circumstances. I did not care for the non-ending. The book covers only a few months of her life, and there is no real resolution to her problems. The reader is left wondering, what happened to Sarah?

Still Scott O’Dell, still the author behind “Island of the Blue Dolphins” but too much pointless wandering and plot swells that land nowhere. He’s done better work than this.

A disappointing read by a well-known author, based upon a true story from the Revolutionary War of the late 1700s. As this was published about the time of Scott O'Dell's death, I can't help but wonder if someone "finished" the book for him. Not recommended.

I think that this is a classic novel that could be used especially when learning about the Revolutionary War. It addresses many important issues during that time such as rations, rules, and laws. I also think that this was a really great novel depicting a young girl standing up for herself and showing complete independence. I think that this would be a great novel for young girls who are a little down on themselves at times. It would really show them how not only men could hunt and gather and that women have it in them to be completely independent.

2.5 stars
I didn't connect with the MC very well as she didn't have much emotion. And the story just kind of ended without much warning. I didn't feel like anything was resolved. Most disappointing after enjoying Island of the Blue Dolphins so much.