Monday, November 7, 2011

Alias Dragonfly-Jane Singer

Alias Dragonfly


Jane Singer

Bell Bridge, Nov 15 2011, $14.95

ISBN: 9781466316799



In 1861 fifteen years old Madeline Bradford leaves Portsmouth, New Hampshire to live with her Aunt Salome in the nation’s capital Washington City as her father enlisted in the New Hampshire Infantry Regiment for three years and her mother Jenny is recently deceased. Maddie wishes she could join her dad as a soldier, but knows that is impossible.



She sightsees in her temporary home city, but it is not the sights of the capital that excite her. She notices one of the boarders Timothy Webster of the Carolina at her Aunt’s boardinghouse dressed as a preacher near the home of rebel supporter Rose Greenhow. Webster is shocked by the teen’s observation skills and introduces her to Pinkerton. They train her to be a spy as Maddie does what she can for the Union cause.



This is an exhilarating young adult Civil War thriller starring a wonderful intrepid teenager. The fast-paced story line grips the audience as Jane Singer provides her readers with a strong sense of time and place due to the diverse viewpoints; for instance slave traders willing to destroy the "merchandise”; held together by Maddie. With tidbits of information (quilts will not be seen in the same way), fans will feel they are in Washington City in 1861 at a time when the capital is divided but more sympathetic to the Southern cause.



Harriet Klausner



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