Fourteen-year-old Clara Hargraves lives on a farm in Hopkinton, a small New Hampshire town, during the early 19th century. She has a couple of big problems. First of all, she has a stepmother, Priscilla, who used to be her spinster schoolteacher aunt. Clara resents that her late mother’s older sister has not only married her father but is about to have a baby. To make matters worse, “Prissy … Priscilla” keeps trying to make the rambunctious, clever, and witty Clara act like a proper young lady. Secondly, Clara has red hair, making her a target for teasing by a handsome older boy, Dickson Weeks, and by her pretty seventeen-year-old Dread Cousin Hetty. Clara, however, has a secret plan she hopes will change this. During the last week of June, 1825, Clara’s town is abuzz because the famous General Lafayette is about to visit their state during his farewell tour of America. In those eventful seven days, Clara learns a lot about her family, Hetty, Dickon, herself, and about Lafayette. She comes to understand the huge and vital role the young French aristocrat played in America’s Revolutionary War and to see that her problems might not be quite so terrible after all.
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I love history and historical fiction, especially accurate work. A Buss from Lafayette is the kind of book I read, no devoured, as a child and loved every detail, every event, and every word while begging for more. At the end, I wanted to know what happened next, just as I did with this story. I highly recommend A Buss from Lafayette, a delightful story intertwined with very readable history.
An interesting historical fiction piece. It accurately describes life during the time period and the challenges that come with it from the main character’s point of view. It is a coming of age story as well. She learns that her aunt (now step mother) really isn’t the horrid father stealing woman she originally believes her to be… and their relationship and respect for one another blossoms by the end of the story.
It was an easy-to-read history lesson – almost like a series of classroom discussions. For a young child trying to understand the revolutionary war, it could be quite effective.
Wonderful read with lots of historical insights.
A Buss from Lafayette was so different than I anticipated. Never dull nor dragging, this historical fiction was a complete delight to read!
The story unfolds on Clara’s fourteenth birthday. She was so angry not even her father remembered. If her mother were alive she would have remembered. This is just one reason she did not have high esteem for her former school teacher -pregnant – aunt who was so different from her mother. Still grieving over her mother’s death and angry that her father married her mother’s sister just one week after her mother’s death, Clara was full of resentment and feelings of rebelliousness.
Although Clara appeared to be introverted, this unruly young woman held strong opinions and determination within herself. She refused as much as possible to be the “proper young woman “Prissy” tried to make her into. She had “pumpkin head” red hair which brought her much grief and she would do almost anything to get rid of it. Why could she not have chestnut-colored hair like her father and her brother or blond like her mother and aunt?
Clara has many plans and is unnaturally interested in news events. During the course of events which unfold. . ., Clara makes new discoveries about herself, her family, and the famous General Lafayette. She becomes aware that life isn’t all that it seems and discovers strengths within herself she never knew were there.
Many points were brought up – some factual, some fictional – which causes the reader to reflect and contemplate himself/herself, life in general, and historical events.
At first, I felt the Book Cover and title were not the best, but after reading the story, they were a great fit and eye-catching enough to entice the “browser”. The characters were so real. one felt as though he/she were there associating with them. The Scenes were equally portrayed and drew the reader into the story plot.
A great book for family/book club reading. Older elementary-age will surely enjoy this book!
In this coming age novel, Clara Hargraves must come to terms with a step mother she feels is trying to take her dead mother’s place, her flaming red hair that draws attention and teasing, and just being a 14 year old girl.
The book takes place in 1825 and as the title suggests, central to the story is the tour of The States by revolutionary War Hero, General Lafayette. While Clara navigates the inevitable and timeless pitfalls of being a 14 year old, the world around her is a buzz with Lafayette’s tour stops. It seems that whereever she goes the adults are discussing him and his contribution to the Revolutionary War. Against that canvas Clara gets to learn a few things about life not always being what it seems. Maybe her Evil Stepmother/Aunt isn’t the villain Clara would like to believe. Maybe her hateful “perfect’ cousin isn’t so perfect after all. And that boy who has been teasing her mercilessly for years, well just maybe he isn’t so bad either. An unexpected meeting will change her perspective on herself and her family.
Middle grade girls will immediately identify and relate with Clara. Despite the historical time gap, Clara’s life isn’t so different from theirs; Chores, boys, growing womanhood and greater responsibilities. Meanwhile, without even realizing it they will pick up an excellent education on the primary figures of the American Revolution, as well what life was like for kids their age in the early 1800’s. For that reason, I believe in a classroom setting this book would also appeal to middle grade boys.