Brooklyn Rose

I remember when my niece Glynnis and daughter Sarah were both little girls.  They loved the American Girl dolls. Sarah actually still has hers and I'm willing to bet that Glynnis does as well. I liked the dolls, but the thing I liked best about them was that each of the dolls came with a history in the form of books. Each of these dolls had at least four or five stories that you could get to read and find out what life was like in the era of the doll you chose.
Well tonight I read a book that kind of reminded me of those books.  The story was called "Brooklyn Rose" and the writer is Ann Rinaldi.
The story is about Rose Frampton who lives in South Carolina during the turn of the century.  <I should say now the turn of the 20th century, since we are in a new era ourselves.> Although Rose is a young girl, only 15, she finds herself married to a man twice her age,  He is a rich man, a silk merchant. And he brings her to Brooklyn to live with him. Rose didn't love the man when she first married him. She married him because she felt she owed it to  her family to do so. But as she gets to know him she discovers herself falling in love with him. It is a confusing time for a fifteen year old girl, as she balances, her life in the big city with getting servants, making friends, meeting  her in laws, and learning to love her husband. But Rose manages all of it and makes it sound fun!
The book is written in diary form. Rose Frampton is actually  based on Ann Rinaldi's grandmother. A family history that she didn't find out about until later in life, since her mother died and her stepmother cut her off from her biological maternal ties.
The story is written easily enough that a ten to twelve year old will enjoy it. Maybe even a younger child if she enjoys reading the American Girl novels.  Ann Rinaldi writes great historical fiction for children and she has many books that boys as well as girls will enjoy.
"Brooklyn Rose" is a wonderful story about a girl growing  up.  Get it for your American Girl fans.  You'll enjoy having her read a story that doesn't come with accessories!