Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South (Great Episodes)

by Ann Rinaldi

Book Overview

It's 1780, and war has come to Camden, South Carolina. Caroline Whitaker's father is in prison for refusing to pledge allegiance to the king; her brother, Johnny, is away fighting for the Loyalists;... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152050779
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.8" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

A Great Historical Fiction Book

When my eighth grade English teacher told my class that we had to read a historical fiction book for a book project, I thought I was doomed. I didn't particularly want to read a book about boring history. I searched and searched everywhere for an exciting book that I would like and finally I found the book Cast Two Shadows by Ann Rinaldi. I had heard Ann Rinaldi was a terrific writer, so I thought I would give this book a try. I am very glad I picked this book because it is definately not just a boring historical book. The book took place in Camden, South Carolina, just after the Revolutionary War had arrived there. It is about a fourteen-year-old girl named Caroline Witaker and how her world has been turned upsidedown because of the war. Her Patriot father who is the leading rebel in Camden has just been taken off to jail by the British and her brother is off fighting for the British on the opposite side of the war. Her best friend has just been hung by the British and her sister has fallen in love with the British officer who took over Caroline's house. Throughout this book, Caroline is forced to face conflicts within herself and make tough decisions that will impact her life and the life of her family forever. I enjoyed this book very much and thought it was certainly worth my time. The beginning was a little bit slow and kind of confusing, but once I got past the first few chapters, the story got really exciting and it didn't want to put it down. The book had a good plot, was very interesting, and actually helped me learn a lot about our country's history without it being boring. It taught me so much about the Revolutionary War that I probably would have never known and it helped me to understand what life was like back then. Another thing I liked about it was that it put me in the place of Caroline Witaker and made me feel like I was her. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good historical fiction book or even just a good leisure book.

A New Twist on Old Historical Fiction

Cast Two Shadows is an amazing book, quite possibly Ann Rinaldi's best. The story of the American Revolution in the south, this book is a definitely not a dull example of war fiction. Where many books are set in New England, and the characters all face similar problems, Rinaldi has created a unique novel about a young girl's inner conflict as well as the one in the world around her. You will be drawn in by the unique characters, and the vivid descriptions of a South Carolina plantation. Some of Rinaldi's books are tough to follow, as she attempts to explain events that, without prior knowledge, are hard to understand. Cast Two Shadows, however, portrays historical events with ease. The plot moves swiftly, without a boring moment, as you follow fourteen year old Caroline's struggle to understand the war, her family, and herself. 282 pages of adventure and heart-felt emotions, Cast Two Shadows is a historical novel everyone should read.

A great Revolutionary War novel

"Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South" was another great novel by Ann Rinaldi, and a very good novel on the Revolutionary War!Caroline, 14, lives with her mixed Patriot/Loyalist family in South Carolina around 1780. Her life begins to change drastically then; her friend, Kit, is hanged for trying to attack Cornwallis, her father is in jail for being a Patriot, her brother, who was at war, needs her to help him, Loyalists are taking over her home, her sister is getting to be friends - very good friends - with a British soldier, and she's also beginning to know her slave grandmother.This book told a good story, with quite a bit of truth in it, about the interesting times of the Revolutionary War. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone ages 12 and up wanting an exciting read! I'd also recommend "A Wolf by the Ears" and "Time Enough for Drums", two other novels by Rinaldi, and definitely the movie "The Patriot" as it is about some of these very places, people, and events mentioned in this book.

A riveting novel

This book was probobly one of the best novels I have ever read. It is historical fiction, so you benifit by learning new facts about the American Revolution, without boring yourself to death. The devestating circumstances that the Whitaker family have to deal with are vividly described by the author and will bring tears to your eyes. The realistic 1700's drama is a real page-turner. I would reccomend this book for a young adult. Overall, Cast Two Shadows is a brillant work by Ann Rinaldi.

Just like every other Ann Rinaldi. GREAT!!!!

I've read almost all of Ann Rinaldi's Historical Fiction books, and so far I can say, any Ann Rinaldi is a good Ann Rinaldi. her name is a guarantee that is it a super-good book! Cast Two shadows is my number 2 favorite Ann Rinaldi Book. Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons is definitely the best. ( I sent a copy of it to Ann Rinaldi, and she autographed it for me!!) If you've read any of her others and liked them, you will love this one! (sorry if I'm to excited, but I really, really love her!)