MY VICKSBURG

Ann Rinaldi has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing accurate historical fiction peopled with realistic characters who bring their times to life for young adults. Sadly, MY VICKSBURG is not up to her usual standards. The 47-day siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is often ignored by history because it ended on the same day as the better-known Battle of Gettysburg. Rinaldi’s story of this event is too short to fully depict the hardships felt by this city under siege. Futhermore, Kathy Garver's narration is uninspired. Although she attempts to use accent and tone to differentiate the voices of characters in dialogue, her voice for the story's narrator is tiresome and creates no emotional connection to the account. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]