Tin Heart, The - Softcover

Ackerman, Karen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0689314612 ISBN 13: 9780689314612

Publisher: Atheneum, 1990

Synopsis

As the onset of the Civil War causes a rift between their fathers, Mahaley and Flora find a way to preserve their friendship.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Set on the Ohio River at the start of the Civil War, this picture book tells of two young friends, Mahaley and Flora . They are separated by the river and by the war, but are linked by Mahaley's father's ferry boat and a tin pendant that they share--two halves of a single heart. They only see each other when Mahaley sneaks on board the midnight ferry for a clandestine visit to the other shore. She falls overboard, is rescued by Flora's father, spends the night, and is retrieved in the morning by her own father. The ending, asserting the girls' realization that their friendship transcends war and geography, is abrupt and cliched. While the story gives an interesting glimpse of life on the war's border, the story is not adequate to the burden of sentiment at its end. The watercolor illustrations feature awkwardly posed, two-dimensional people reminiscent of poster art and Norman Rockwell. There is the sense that all the scenes are backlit, overlit, and efflorescent, giving a heavenly glow not at all appropriate to this down-to-earth story. --Ruth K. MacDonald, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0689314612
• ISBN 13: 9780689314612
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32