Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
1st out of 26 books
—
3 voters
The Sugar Camp Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts #7)
History is thick with secrets in The Sugar Camp Quilt, seventh in the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series from bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini. Set in Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania, in the years leading up to the Civil War, the novel follows Dorothea Granger's passage from innocence to wisdom against the harrowing backdrop of the American struggle over slavery. She dis...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
January 10th 2006
by Simon & Schuster
(first published January 1st 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
This book predates the history of the family in all of the novels. This book highlights Mr. Ligghit... the man that Sylvia's ancestors gambled out of the cabin/ land that eventually became Elm Creek Mannor.
Mr. L, as it turns out is a mean drunk who is up to no good at every turn. His neighbors that live on the Granger Farm have a maple sugaring business. The family that lives at the camp moved in with a cranky old Uncle that no one can stand. As it turns out- the Uncle was a stationmaster on the...more
Mr. L, as it turns out is a mean drunk who is up to no good at every turn. His neighbors that live on the Granger Farm have a maple sugaring business. The family that lives at the camp moved in with a cranky old Uncle that no one can stand. As it turns out- the Uncle was a stationmaster on the...more
This was one of Jennifer Chiaverini's finest books! There is not a mention of Sylvia or the other Elm Creek people. This is set entirely right before the Civil War in Creek Crossing (which later will become Waterford). Dorothea Granger has been asked by her irascible uncle to make a quilt which exacting pattern is unconventional. Later we find out, after her uncle's death,that the quilt is actually a map for runaway slaves to find their way to the next station on their way North to freedom. Doro...more
Dorthea Granger has had a hard life. Her family's farm flooded and they lost most of their earthly possessions including the quilt tops that she had painstakingly made for her hope chest. They have no where to go except her mother's brother. Her Uncle Jacob is a stern man. He has a strong work ethic and shows his disapproval when anyone isn't pulling their load.
Dorthea dreams about furthering her education and marrying someday, but at the age of 19, both dreams seem like just that--dreams. Whil...more
Dorthea dreams about furthering her education and marrying someday, but at the age of 19, both dreams seem like just that--dreams. Whil...more
One of the many books in the Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini, this book could actually be more of a stand alone than any of the others. The only commonality it has with the other books are that some of the characters were briefly mentioned in a story in one of the other books. Aside from that, this is a book all its own.
We are first introduced to Dorothea, a young woman who lives with her Uncle and parents on her Uncle's farm. Her Uncle Jacob is a strict man and the family, while l...more
We are first introduced to Dorothea, a young woman who lives with her Uncle and parents on her Uncle's farm. Her Uncle Jacob is a strict man and the family, while l...more
The 7th story in the Elm Creek Quilt series, Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, is different from all the other books in that it has no Bergstrom in it. This is pre-history. In The Runaway Quilt Sylvia learns of her family’s friendship with a Dorothea and her brother and how they became involved in the underground railroad accidentally through them. This story goes into how that family gets involved in it.
Dorothea’s Uncle hid a station on his farm while they lived there with him because h...more
Dorothea’s Uncle hid a station on his farm while they lived there with him because h...more
Apr 01, 2011
Joanna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone especially if interested in The Underground Railroad movement or slavery
I actually listened to this book in the car as I drove to and from work everyday about an hour total unless I run errands as well.
At first I was prepared to be disappointed because Sylvia, Sarah and the other Elm Creek quilters were not in the story at all. But this is an intriguing and informative tale of not only runaway slaves and the Underground Railroad but some pre-history to the Elm Creek series, even though it's the 7th in the series.
The greasy Mr. Liggitt (not sure of spelling since I'...more
At first I was prepared to be disappointed because Sylvia, Sarah and the other Elm Creek quilters were not in the story at all. But this is an intriguing and informative tale of not only runaway slaves and the Underground Railroad but some pre-history to the Elm Creek series, even though it's the 7th in the series.
The greasy Mr. Liggitt (not sure of spelling since I'...more
This is the first book by this author which I have read, although a quilter relation says she's read them all and really likes them. It is set in a pre-Civil War period in Pennsylvania--which as a state not too far from the South had many pro-slavery citizens as well as abolitionists. the time is also when the laws of the country favored the owners of runaway slaves, and so hiding escapees was dangerously illegal in many ways. The heroine, Dorothea, is pitted against several men who suspect her...more
There are something like thirteen books in this series, but I think it's more like a multi generational saga than a series. The story is set in 1849 when the anti-slavery groups were just beginning to exert themselves and the Underground Railway was setting up its routes, stations and guides. What I liked best about this book was the way characters revealed totally different characteristics as the story went on. There is a full range of types in this small village and the feelings of the 'townie...more
Although this book is part of the Elm Creek Quilts series, it could actually stand alone, and could easily be read and understood by anyone who has not read any of the other Elm Creek Quilt novels.
This book is set in pre-Civil War years and deals with the issues of slavery and abolition. The main character, Dorothea, is a young woman who lives with her parents and harsh uncle on her uncle's farm. Through a series of events, she becomes involved helping runaway slaves as they move through the Un...more
This book is set in pre-Civil War years and deals with the issues of slavery and abolition. The main character, Dorothea, is a young woman who lives with her parents and harsh uncle on her uncle's farm. Through a series of events, she becomes involved helping runaway slaves as they move through the Un...more
I thought this was an interesting story and I liked all the historical details that the author put into this book. I think the story could have been fleshed out a bit, and I thought the author spent too much time building up to the climax and then just like that ended the story, just felt cut off at the end.
I have not read any other books in this series, so I understand this is the prehistory to those books. I think you can easily read this book without having read the others.
One thing I thought...more
I have not read any other books in this series, so I understand this is the prehistory to those books. I think you can easily read this book without having read the others.
One thing I thought...more
view 2 comments
This installment of the Elm Creek Quilt novels takes us back again to Elm Creek's beginnings through the eyes of Dorothea Granger. I have to admit it started out rather slowly for me and took some time to really get into it. Knowing already a few details about Dorothea's life from previous novels it is not much of a mystery as to her love interest, but it was interesting to note how the characters all came together and got involved in the Underground Railroad.
I am happy that though Uncle Jacob...more
I am happy that though Uncle Jacob...more
This title, the 7th title in the Elm Creek Quilts series, tells the story of Dorothea Granger, one of the original inhabitants of the property that would later be known as Elm Creek Farm. In the days before the Civil War, abolitionists in the northern states often served as stops on the underground railroad, assisting slaves who escaped from their owners in the south. The penalty, if caught, could be life in prison or even death. When Dorothea's Uncle Jacob, with whom her family lives, dies unex...more
This book was okay but not as good as the others I have read. Not as exciting as the other quilter books that I have read. The end was more like what I like from the author. It was about a white family losing their farm to a flood and becoming basically as slaves to the white brother of the husband. The brother was very mean and firm with them and treated them like slaves. After he died they did find out that he had been running runaway slaves thru his sugar camp and helping the slave to escape...more
Second book in a fortnight (3rd in 2 months) dealing with a side of slavery. Whilst this is #7 in the Elm Creek series, I didn
This was my favorite Elm Creek Novel by far! Another of the Elm Creek Quilters series is set in Creek’s Crossing, Pennsylvania. In the years leading up to the Civil War, the story begins with friends and neighbors taking sides in the abolitionist debate, and as the events unfold, an extraordinary young heroine, Dorthea Granger, passes from innocence to wisdom against the harrowing backdrop of the American struggle over slavery. Armed with the Sugar Camp quilt and its mysterious symbols, she must...more
The Sugar Camp Quilt, by Jennifer Chiaverini. B.
I read this book in braille, borrowed from Library for the Blind.
This is a definite cozy, although not a mystery. In the 1850’s, Dorothea and her family and her uncle Jacob live on a farm in Maryland, which is not a state which endorses slavery, but does endorse the return of slaves to their owners if the slaves are caught fleeing to the north. This is a story about abolitionists, the underground railroad, quilting, (her books always involve quilti...more
I read this book in braille, borrowed from Library for the Blind.
This is a definite cozy, although not a mystery. In the 1850’s, Dorothea and her family and her uncle Jacob live on a farm in Maryland, which is not a state which endorses slavery, but does endorse the return of slaves to their owners if the slaves are caught fleeing to the north. This is a story about abolitionists, the underground railroad, quilting, (her books always involve quilti...more
Jacob operated an underground railroad station at the Sugar Camp in Elm Creek Village. He owned the farm where his daughter, son-in-law, and two children came to live with him after an unfortunate traveling accident where they lost everything. Jacob never told his family about his abolitionist involvement. Instead he had Dorothea, his granddaughter, piece him a quilt which (unbeknown to her) gave the directions to the next safe stop. Jacob died while trying to give safe passage, and the family s...more
Back to the Elm Creek series. This goes back to the time of the underground railroad. I didn't take the time to look back and try to figure out the relationships between these characters and the ones previously written about as Sylvia's ancestors (as I'm reading these as a bookcrossing spiral I don't have the books anymore so would have to rely on the reviews etc), but that didn't detract from the story at all. This book seemed much less about quilting and far more about the characters, the stru...more
The Sugar Camp Quilt is part of the Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini these books will appeal to quilters, history buffs, genealogy lovers and just people who like a good story. This title as some of the others deals with slavery and the underground railroad in the Virginia area. It also has a twist of a group in the town deciding they need more of a library than the one shelf of books and how they acheive their goal. Even though I am not much of a quilter this series is very enjoyab...more
Years ago I read several of the first Elm Creek novels. Initially, I really liked them, but after a while I thought they got a little tedious or almost repetitive. It was almost always more or less the same story; the 4-5-6 quilters were having camp at Elm Creek manor, and then there would be somebody - either among the quilt teachers or the students - who was going through a personally difficult time which everybody helped her get through. So I stopped reading her books for several years and h...more
You can find Jane Austen sequels everywhere! I didn't expect, though, to find one in this book, from a series of books about quilters, set in 1800's America, about abolitionists trying to help runaway slaves. But, when it opens the main character Dorothea meets a man whom at first she loathes, then at a dance he asks her to dance, and then doesn't talk, and he even says near the end, "You are too generous to trifle with me." There is even a Wickham-like character, a baddy who seems charming. The...more
The Sugar Camp Quilt novel takes us to the year 1849. This starts out with Abel Wright, a neighbor to the Grangers, who is on his way to purchase his wife's freedom from her owner. His wife is a slave and he wants to get her away from the slavers before she is sold off.
Jacob, uncle to the Granger's, wants Abel to wait until after the crops are in. But Abel insists he needs to go now or his wife may not still be there.
Once Abel returns with his wife, Constance, the Granger's go over to welcome he...more
Jacob, uncle to the Granger's, wants Abel to wait until after the crops are in. But Abel insists he needs to go now or his wife may not still be there.
Once Abel returns with his wife, Constance, the Granger's go over to welcome he...more
This book is set in the mid 1800's and tells the story of a girl and her family. Unknown to her, her uncle is a conductor of the underground railroad and when he dies she and her family take over his responsibilities. She learns about courage and the value of human life as she helps runaway slaves reach safety and stands up for what she believes in. The quilt in this book was made with a pieced pattern that would lead the slave to the next point of safety.
I found this a fun and quick read. I en...more
I found this a fun and quick read. I en...more
This review will contain major spoilers--read it at your own risk.
I don't normally write reviews of books I was disappointed in because, really, why bother? Why waste your time reviewing something you didn't like? I usually don't even have the time to review a book I *did* like, forget about one I didn't. If I could honestly rate this as a book in its on right, I'd have rated it much higher, but my rating is based on the fact that I can't consider it a book in its own right. I don't feel like I...more
I don't normally write reviews of books I was disappointed in because, really, why bother? Why waste your time reviewing something you didn't like? I usually don't even have the time to review a book I *did* like, forget about one I didn't. If I could honestly rate this as a book in its on right, I'd have rated it much higher, but my rating is based on the fact that I can't consider it a book in its own right. I don't feel like I...more
I don't know what it is... if a book tells me it's an adaptation of an older, more well-known story, I enjoy it. It's fun to look for the elements of the original and see how they've been adapted. When the book doesn't do that, it just feels like a rip-off.
Take "Pride and Prejudice." Move it about 40 years forward and a couple thousand miles across the Atlantic, axe out pretty much everyone except Darcy, Wickham and Elizabeth and you've got "The Sugar Camp Quilt."
It is not an entirely felicitous...more
Take "Pride and Prejudice." Move it about 40 years forward and a couple thousand miles across the Atlantic, axe out pretty much everyone except Darcy, Wickham and Elizabeth and you've got "The Sugar Camp Quilt."
It is not an entirely felicitous...more
1 like · like · see review
May 04, 2008
Asia Snow
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People that love to live and live to love!
Recommended to Asia by:
Sarah G.
My favorite line in the book was “Men too often confused success with moral worth.” Moral conscience is a theme in this book. I enjoyed reading it because it was interesting by the 17th page whereas it usually takes me at least 50 pages to be engrossed. Also, it wasn’t too compelling that I couldn’t responsibly put it down and concentrate on more important matters. That’s the way I like books. Another very important quality to me is that the characters were praiseworthy each in their unique ways...more
This is one of the Elm Creek Quilts that doesn't focus on the Elm Creek Quilter characters. I tend to like these best because of the historial aspect of the storyline. This was about the people who were involved in the Underground Railway. Good stuff. Ending wrapped up a little to quick for me. It wsa a nice ending, but I thought it had the character suddenly acting "out of character". I needed a few more pages of their transformation to believe it. Still good though.
Who knew that there were novels specifically for quilters? And that there are whole series for hobbyers of all kinds?
Anyhow, this book was selected for a book club because it has an audio version available. It is interesting because of the quilt motifs (I'm a fan of quilting and plan to make one when my life slows down). It is a historical novel of the Underground Railroad (pre-Civil War time frame) in a free state. Thin on the character development.
Anyhow, this book was selected for a book club because it has an audio version available. It is interesting because of the quilt motifs (I'm a fan of quilting and plan to make one when my life slows down). It is a historical novel of the Underground Railroad (pre-Civil War time frame) in a free state. Thin on the character development.
i would like to give this a higher rating but cant justify. i put the book down once after reading the first chapter because it felt too shallow and formulaic. i picked it up again for lack of another book to read. the main plot takes off into a well developed intriguing story of the underground railroad. Unfortunately at the end degenerates to a cheesy formulaic ending. i would like to see the author better develop her intro and conclusion.
May 17, 2012
Alice
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those who enjoy historical novels
Recommended to Alice by:
Pene Gault
The glimpse of history entwined in the story of how residents of a small town choose to help slaves to freedom along the underground railroad is made heart rendering by Jennifer's Chiaverini's story. Compelling and hard to put down, it reinforced how critical to survival one's dependence on family members was in a farming community. This is one of several Elm Creek Quilt novels.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Jennifer Chiaverini is the author of ten Elm Creek Quilts novels and An Elm Creek Quilts Sampler and An Elm Creek Quilts Album, as well as Elm Creek Quilts and Return to Elm Creek, two collections of quilt projects inspired by the series, and is the designer of the Elm Creek Quilts fabric lines from Red Rooster fabrics. She lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin.
* The Quilter's...more
More about Jennifer Chiaverini...
* The Quilter's...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
