The Last Silk Dress

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Summary: A Brave Girl
Review: Susan Chilmark is a girl of the civil war times. She has a very pass, having never met her brother before. Because her mother never let her do anything to contribute to the Cause, she decided the least she could do is go out to find out about what was happening at the war. Upon one of these trips outside, she finally meets her brother in an interesting way. They become fast friends and promise to see each other secretly. Then, one day, her chance of helping the Cause appears - she is to help collect silk dresses to make a balloon. When the balloon was finished, she realized that she didn't want it anymore. Doing treason, she gets rid of the balloon, but has caused such a big commotion that she has to leave.
I liked this story because it is very realistic. Ann Rinaldi creates Susan as a strong-willed girl who faces troubles with a determined air, and defeats all of them. She is unlike the girls of her time- all weepy and fainty. I also liked this story because the mother is unlike any mothers I know of. I have never heard of a mother who whips her daughter because she was being naughty. Usually they punish or lecture them, but no physical contact is made.
My favorite part was when Susan meets her brother Lucien in a most amazing way. She had been dressed up as a boy in his clothes, and even though he hadn't been home for ages, he still recongized them. He thought she had stolen them, and beat her up for lying about "borrowing my brother's clothes," for Lucien had no brother. When he realizes that she is a girl, he is shocked and realized she was telling the truth the whole time. Lucien takes his sister to his gambling house in his carriage. There they got to know each other better.

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Summary: The best teen historical fiction
Review: This book tells the story of a girl who is forced to grow up. She lived during the time of the Civil War. This story takes place in Richmond, Virginia. Susan is fourteen years old and thinks the war is very far away. She doesn't think it is going to effect her until the day her father is needed to work on a ship hundreds of miles away. Susan feels useless and alone. She has just met her long lost brother Lucien, who is the subject of town gossip because he isn't away fighting. Susan is left alone in her mansion with her angry mother and their beloved housekeeper, Rhody. Susan tries to find a way to help in the war effort but from her conversations with her brother she is unsure which side she supports. ... Susan must decide if she can perform a final act of courage that will show everyone what side she is on. At this point, she realizes she miust decide if she can do something that mayhurt her loved ones but that she believes is right.
I loved this book. Normally historical fiction books bore me beacuse they take place so long ago. But I could really understand why Susan felt the way she did. Her confusion with where she belonged really made sense to me. She is so much like girls today because she is confused about boys and also self-concious. This book made me want to keep reading and left me wanting more as it ended.

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Summary: She has to write a sequel!
Review: This was the best Ann Rinaldi book I've read so far..... It was very interesting that a hot air balloon could be made from a lady's silk dress! I also could totally relate to the main character in this book, Susan Chilmark. I just wish this story would never end like it did!!!!!!!

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Summary: The Last Silk Dress
Review: One can actually see the characters in this book. The author gives wonderful descriptions, but leaves just enough to the imagination. Lucien is a character that I could even hear his voice when he spoke. If you have ever seen Tombstone and heard Val Kilmer's voice, then you have heard Lucien's too. This author is brilliant!

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Summary: Civil war stories
Review: This book made it incredibly easy to learn about The Civil War. (...) Anyone interested in history will enjoy this.

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Summary: OMG REALLY GOOD! LIKE TIME ENOUGH FOR THE DRUMS GOOD
Review: OMG, this is a really good book! Its about a girl named Susan who has a crazy mom (she's a real nutcase) and I dunno, she falls in love w/ a yank (isn't that a fun word) And if u liked the relationship between Lucy and Carter (kind of big brother saves the dayish) you'll love this book. If not READ IT ANYWAYS, you heard me hon, loud and clear! Read the BOOK! Just Read it! Got books??

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Summary: You have got to read this story!
Review: When I got this book as a gift I couldn't believe it. Who would want to read a story about the Civil War? But after I read it I had to read it again! It is full of great historicial facts but it shows how families have to stay together no matter what is going on. This is one of my favorite books and the best book by Ann Rinaldi that I have ever read! Check this book out! :o)

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Summary: really good
Review: I loved this book. Read this book and "Time Enough for Drums" and "The fifth of March too. Here is a breif over view. There is a girl named susan, and she hates her mom, and her dad left. And she never met her brother. Well, she meets him ,lives with him. Falls in love with a yankee, destroys a big balloon she made. Her brother gets mad. THE END. It was a lot better than I described it. The relationship between Susan and her brother Lucien reminded me of the relationship between Lucy and Carter on E.R. It was like a big brother thing.

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Summary: It Got Me Hooked on Rinaldi
Review: My mother bought me this book when I was a sixth grader, and I still enjoy it eight years later. It is perfect for any young girl fascinated with history; historical fact is blended with family issues and romance, too. Rinaldi, as in all her novels, explains what is actually happened, and what is fiction, and this adds to the magic. No matter how old you are, this book will captivate your imagination and bring you to Richmond, VA during the Civil War. It will also spur you to discover more about those silk dresses. Also, it will get anyone, especially difficult adolescent girls, hooked on Rinaldi and all historical fiction.

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Summary: The Last Silk Dress
Review: The Last Silk Dress is one of the books that will keep you hooked until the end! It is really sad but one of the best books I have read in my life! Its about a girl named Susan who lives in the South during the Civil War. She is desperate to help for "the cause" but her mother wont allow her. She has an older brother named Lucien who left home over a quarral with his father. Susan does not know him but meets him out on the street while venturing out in boys clothing. Susan knows that her mother does not like Lucien but meets behind her mothers back anyway. This is a story of one girls adventure through life which I know many of you people out there will enjoy! This is a MUST read!