Bibliography:
Ain, Beth Levine. 2008. The Revolution of Sabine. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0763633967
Plot Summary:
Sixteen year old Sabine, daughter of a 18th century French aristocrat, thinks of nothing more than the next ball, getting fitted for her next dress. But when her mother tries to arrange her marriage to a vulgar young man of her class and rank, she rekindles her childhood friendship with her governess’s son, Michel, attends her first salon where she meets Ben Franklin, and realizes that there may be more to life then what her mother has planned.
Critical Analysis:
Sometimes I can really understand how some teens relate to books and reading. I picked up this book because I found the cover to be very appealing. However, I don’t know how many teens might have then put the book back down, as it seems to have quite a slow start to me. I am not sure how, but the opening scenes, and even the ball/dancing seem to not have much going on. It is not until some chapters into the book that the story picks up and I found myself starting to care about what happened to Sabine. It is a credit to the author that I realized I cared so much that I might even want to read a second book about Sabine and MIchel.
On the one hand, the arc of the plot reflects the changes in Sabine herself, the “revolution” on a small scale that foreshadows the French Revolution. On the other hand, how many teens will read through the first scenes to see the changes that she undergoes? It would be interesting to put this in the hands of a few teens and see what they think. I do think this might appeal to teens who enjoy the Dear America books and other similiar series.
Connections:
- To the American and French Revolutions, to Benjamin Franklin, showing how actual events might have affected real people living during that time.
- To Voltaire and Candide, although many teens may have a hard time understanding the novel, as Sabine herself did.