Calico Bush

by Tara G on 2011-05-17
I like the book Calico Bush very much. It was written by Rachel Field and illustrated by Allen Lewis. It was published by Alladin Paperbacks in 1998. A French girl named Marguerite works for an American family because her family died on the way to America. Marguerite is unhappy because they treat her unkindly just because she is French. She wants to go back to France and has the chance to return. But, she discovers that she likes the children she cares for and now must decide if she should stay or leave. I like the book because Marguerite is helpful and kind. The book is also very descriptive. You'll want to read it because it makes you feel like you're really there! (a student review by Sofia G., age 8)

by JULIE N on 2010-09-27
This was one of our favorite read alouds for Core 3. I was a blubbering idiot by the end! It has a slow start, but keep at it. It's worth it!

by MELINDA B on 2010-09-02
This book makes my top list for Sonlight books. The first book I blubbered through, blubbered. Had to put it down for awhile so I could compose myself (or cry for awhile, whatever). Actually, HB said, “Mama, I can read it for you? Are you going to be ok?” Ahem. Beautiful story!

by ANN M on 2010-08-24
by Andrea McGrath aged 10 CALICO BUSH by Rachel Field This book was published by Dell and illustrated by Les Kanturek. It was a beautiful June morning in 1743 as the waters of the sea rippled lightly. Marguerit Ledoux watched Marblehead until it was out of sight and then went back to her work. Margureit was a bound-out servant to the Sargent family, but they despised her. This book is all about the hardships of their lives. When they arrived in the new world Joel Sargent insisted that the family lived where the Indians didn’t want them to live . This caused much auxiety and trouble . The family grew to love Marguerit because of her faithfunessl and hard work . I love this book because Marguerit is so loving to the kids and so clever and stopped the Indians from raiding the house.

by COLE G on 2010-05-08
This is a fantastic book. It gets off to a slow start, but please keep going because it is one of the most moving stories on the list for this year. Enjoy!

by APRIL H on 2009-06-10
Written by Rachel H. age 9: I can honestly say that my favorite book this year was Calico Bush. It was written by Rachel Field, and published by Simon & Schuster in 1931. Calico Bush is about a girl named Marguerite Ledoux, a French girl who is 'bound out' to the Sargents for six years. The book is so intriguing! The story is told vividly. I looked forward every night to reading it! I have many favorite parts. One of them is when Ira, Joel Sargent's brother, gets the red ear of corn at a husking bee. No one had found it yet, but then Marguerite saw the red ear. Without anybody noticing her, she gave the red ear of corn to Ira. Before he could thank her, she slipped away. Wasn't that nice of her? Margeurite is also brave! Once when she and the Sargents were coming from Marblehead, a storm rose and half the family's furniture was washed away. Caleb was trying to save the sheep, and Margeurite helped him! That was a brave act. The book made me feel as though Marguerite is kind and compassionate, and as though life has its ups and downs. You will have fun reading Calico Bush, I'm sure! I loved reading this great book!!!

by SUZANNE J on 2009-01-14
I loved the book. I liked the way the chapters were named by season instead of numbers. It was great book. It was descriptive and very neat. There was drama, there was joy, I realy liked it. Me and my mom read it, she liked it too. Abigail 9 years

by KRISTINA G on 2008-12-15
We were halfway into this book before we decided we liked it. It was very slow going and all of us felt reluctantly dragged along until that point. Halfway through the book, everything changed, and we were captivated. All three of us were riveted and in tears when the baby was hurt, and from there on, we were emotionally invested and didn't want to put the book down. It ended up one of our favourites. I'm giving it fewer stars simply because of the dissatisfaction we went with for the first half - that's a lot longer than we would usually put up with a book that we're all disliking. I persevered for the detail of pioneer living that I thought was valuable. Then as the story grew on us, I was glad we had!

by Stephanie J on 2008-11-07
Though this book is sad, its exciting and tells what people in those days went through. My favorite part was when Maggie met up with that french indian. Danikka J., age 11