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Troubles For Cécile (2011)

by Denise Lewis Patrick(Favorite Author)

3.95 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1593696639 (ISBN13: 9781593696634)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

American Girl Publishing Inc

series

American Girls: Marie-Grace and Cécile

review 1: Childhood memory: None ... Okay, so this isn't technically one of the American Girl books I read as a kid. But, my memories of those I did enjoy keep me interested in checking in on the historical American Girl books as AG publishes them.Revisited review: Overall, this particular series is just okay. This review will be for all six books in the series. Not sure if I like the deviation from the typical AG historical format (____ saves the day, happy birthday ____, etc.), but that seems to be the trend with the recent AG historical series. This series in particular is unique since it's narrated by two different girls. Unfortunately, until the final book, both characters felt underdeveloped and flat. Marie-Grace was depicted as practically a saint while Cecile had traces of s... moreel-centered, naive rich girl. In the final book, which was the best of the series, both characters finally felt real. Splitting the story between two characters, each girl's story arc felt rushed and I didn't feel as pulled into the historical aspects of the story.
review 2: Recap:Cecile Rey is one of the "gens de couleur libres" or "free people of color" living in New Orleans in 1853. Together, she and her friend, Marie Grace, experience all that the diverse, busy city has to offer: Mardi Gras parades and costume balls, outdoor French markets, helping to fight a yellow fever epidemic, volunteering at a local orphanage, and performing at a city-wide benefit for the orphaned children.Review:Happy Mardi Gras, book lovers! In honor of the holiday, today I'm featuring a series set in New Orleans, and the first two books take place during Mardi Gras!I was first inspired to cover this American Girl series after seeing a feature on author Denise Lewis Patrick on The Brown Bookshelf. I'd never given a thought to the authors behind my beloved American Girl books, and reading the story of how Patrick was asked to author the Cecile series piqued my interest. The Cecile series is unique from that of the other American Girls because she shares her books with a girl named Marie Grace. I read "Meet Marie Grace" and then all of the Cecile books in the series, and it's very clear that the two authors plotted the stories out together. Between the two "Meet ____" books, some lines were actually word-for-word the same. I'm really not sure why they chose to have two main characters this time. If any of you know, please fill me in!On the surface, the Cecile/Marie Grace series follows the same "formula" as every other in the AG line. We "Meet" the girls, they go through some "troubles" but eventually save the day, and everyone ends up stronger and wiser. A little didactic, yes... but these characters are brave, self-confident role models for little girls today. I really like the fact that each book includes a chapter of nonfiction in the back, explaining how the events in the story are a reflection of real events from the past.Cecile's story is notable because, unlike so many black characters in historial fiction - including Addy!, she has no ties to slavery. In fact, her family is one of the wealthier in New Orleans. She speaks French fluently (a french glossary and pronunciation key is in the back of every book!), takes lessons from a well known Opera singer, and attends a private school. Stereotypical, Cecile is not. Now I love Addy and I think her story is an important one, but I also think it's exciting to see such a unique narrative through Cecile.Recommendation:Gosh, I love the American Girls. This series, and the rest in the AG collection, are perfect for elementary school aged girls. And have you been to the AG website lately? There are games, videos, and apps galore! less

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