World Famous Comics: Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South (Great Episodes)
Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South (Great Episodes)
By: Ann Rinaldi Publisher: Gulliver Books Paperbacks Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Gulliver Books Paperbacks Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 304 Publication Date: March 01, 2004 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
In South Carolina in 1780, fourteen-year-old Caroline sees the Revolutionary War take a terrible toll on her family and friends, and comes to understand the true nature of war.
Amazon.com Review: Ann Rinaldi's historical novels frequently illustrate the destruction of war through the eyes of the girls and women involved as spectators, victims, and reluctant participants. In Cast Two Shadows, Rinaldi uses the compelling young character Caroline Whitaker to reveal how the Revolutionary War affects life on a South Carolina plantation in 1780. Fourteen-year-old Caroline is caught in the violent web of war--her Patriot father is imprisoned, her Loyalist brother Johnny is wounded, her best friend is hanged by the British before her eyes, and her sister is fast becoming the doxy of the cruel British officer who has commandeered their house. To further complicate matters, although her family chooses to ignore it, Caroline knows that she is the result of her father's dalliance with one of his black slaves. In fact, her grandmother, Miz Melindy, still lives in the slave quarters. When Caroline and Miz Melindy take a long wagon journey together (in an attempt to save Johnny), the young heroine at last comes to terms with the complexity and tumult of her life. (Ages 11 to 16) --Patty Campbell
Cast Two Shadows a Hit I bought this book for my 13 year old daughter for Christmas. She loves this author and loves to read. She likes that the books are based on actual historical events. She commented that several she has already read have had women who are demented or crazy in some way- she has grown sort of tired of this. So she wants me to take care in the stories I choose from this author. I would recommend these historical books. I think it's great that kids can learn about history and not be board by it.
Definetly One of my Favorites!! What can I say about this book? It's absolutely my favorite out of all the Great Episodes of Ann Rinaldi's. I love the story of Caroline and her journey with her slave grandmother, she is so strong through the whole story. If you love History you'll love this book!! I know I did.
How Women are important Cast Two Shadows, by Ann Rinaldi, is a book about a girl named Caroline Whitaker who is growing up in the midst of the Revolutionary War. Her father is a riche plantation owner. But he's "away". He was accused for treason by the king of England when he turns spy for the "Rebels". After he goes to jail, a man named Lord Rawdon who is a general for the British military, raids the Witakers' house, and moves in. Caroline, her mother (technically it's her step-mother), and her sister, Georgia-Ann have to move into an upstairs room. Only Georgia-Ann can go downstairs freely, because she and General Rawdon are courting. One night, when Georgia- Ann and General Rawdon sit down for dinner, he says that their cook is horrible, and so Caroline speaks up and says that her secret grandmother, a slave can cook very well, so Rawdon sends Caroline off to find her grandmother, Miz Melindy, and help her prepare a presentable meal. After that happens, nothing extremely relevant happens until a woman who knew her brother, Johnny, comes and tells Caroline and Miz Melindy that Johnny is injured and that they must come quickly. Caroline and Miz Melindy pack up a few provisions and head to the place where Johnny was supposed to be. When they get there, they find Johnny with his manservant, and they both have the "Shivers and Shakes" (Smallpox). Miz Melindy tends to them until they are healthy enough to get back home. On their way home, they find a woman that is called Just Agnes. She is horribly ill, and was trying to find Cornwallis, because apparently, he promised her marriage, but lied and left her. Miz Melindy tends to Just Agnes. But when their provisions run short, they keep on moving. Just Agnes stays in the back of the wagon with Caroline. On their way, they unfortunately find British soldiers who have been looking for Johnny, since he was caught as a spy for the "Rebels". The soldiers do not recognize him, but while the people are being searched for weapons, Just Agnes has to be covered up with a blanket to muffle her screams of pain. Caroline pulls the blanket very tight so that Just Agnes can barely be heard, but then she stops altogether. Once the soldiers leave, everyone checks on Just Agnes. They realize that she is dead, and tells Caroline that it is not her fault. Then Miz Melindy hugs her, and that's when Caroline can tell that Miz Melindy is ill as well. When Caroline asks if she's alright, the old woman says she's fine and that they must keep moving. Once they get home, Johnny tells General Rawdon that they must speak. So instead of Georgia-Ann going down to dine with the Brit, Johnny and his mother come down. Johnny tries to lie, and say that he is not a spy. He tells Rawdon that he will "spy" for the British and find out where the Patriots' next attack is. Right after dinner, he comes upstairs and says that he must leave immediately if he wants to get to the Patriots' commanding officer and secretly tell him what Rawdon's planning. He says that his mother, Georgia-Ann, and Caroline should do the same. Later that evening, the General sends for Georgia-Ann, and when she comes back from speaking to him, she starts packing for Charleston where she will live until the war ends so that she can have proper clothing, housing, and schooling. Three days after Georgia-Ann left, Johnny was supposed to come back from the "spy" mission, but he didn't, and so Rawdon said he would set the house on fire at dusk. Caroline and her mother knew they must flee, and so they packed their most beloved things and shimmied down a rope from their window. When they both got to the ground, Caroline took out a bow and arrow that Johnny had given her, lit it on fire, and shot it through the window they had just left. They immediately saw flames, and so they ran. After the story ends, there is an epilogue saying that after the war ends, Georgia-Ann is never found, Miz Melindy dies, Caroline's father is released from jail, Johnny comes home, and they all (including the slaves) start rebuilding their once beautiful home. I would give this book two thumbs up, because it portrays a female and her courageous role in such a thing as war.
C. Larochelle
I wonderful book I read this book when I was in the 4th grade. It took me almost 1 month to read this. I just resently reread this book and it took me less than a day. This book was the first Ann Rinaldi book I read. I have many different 'styles' of books that I like to read, but one of my favorites is historical fiction. This book just pulled me in. I couldn't put it down I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this book. I can't even begin to explain this book so you will just have to read it yourself.
A devoted reader,
MAR
Cast 2 shadows I read Cast Two Shadows by Ann Rinaldi in my history class. I had much trouble getting through this book because of the unique writing style and Carolines vague descriptions of things. If I could read this book again, I would not because I did not enjoy it much at all.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
