When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western...
In April of 1917, Simone Spencer's world changes. Her beloved brother Will goes off to war, and Simone seeks a way to help. The passionate daughter...
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reviews
Aug 10, 2010
Megan
rated it: 
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Nov 25, 2011
JennLynn
rated it: 
A short but very interesting Dear America book. It introduced me to women's roles as switchboard operators ("Hello Girls") during the first world war. It also talked about the field of physical therapy, emerging due to all the serious injuries received from new weapons of war. (Imagine, an early care centre for these people was the "Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled" - not very comforting!) As usual with these books, my one complaint is their American-centredness. The U.
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Jan 29, 2011
A.S. Halsey
rated it: 
REVIEW COMPLETE
The Dear America books are easily-accessible historical fiction for young readers, especially girls (the My Name is America books, I've been told, are very similar, only for boys).
When Christmas Comes Again gives the truthful and somewhat brutal tale of the daily sacrifices average Americans had to make during World War I, from the perspective of young Simone Spencer. She tells of the daily escapades of her family and the things they must give up to help th More...
The Dear America books are easily-accessible historical fiction for young readers, especially girls (the My Name is America books, I've been told, are very similar, only for boys).
When Christmas Comes Again gives the truthful and somewhat brutal tale of the daily sacrifices average Americans had to make during World War I, from the perspective of young Simone Spencer. She tells of the daily escapades of her family and the things they must give up to help th More...
Feb 23, 2011
Ana
rated it: 
When Christmas Comes Again (World War I) / 0-439-58482-5
The Dear America series are renowned for their compellingly written, fictional diaries that provide a valuable window into important and exciting periods of American history. Each novel is written by its own author, however, and some of the authors are better than others. "When Christmas Comes Again", although not a bad novel by any stretch, manages to fall a little short of the Dear America standard.
Simo More...
The Dear America series are renowned for their compellingly written, fictional diaries that provide a valuable window into important and exciting periods of American history. Each novel is written by its own author, however, and some of the authors are better than others. "When Christmas Comes Again", although not a bad novel by any stretch, manages to fall a little short of the Dear America standard.
Simo More...
Oct 30, 2008
Jorge
rated it:
this book is about the life of Simone Spencer during World War 1. in the story Simone leads an average life as a student, who sometimes helps the YMCA. just a few days after her graduation, her brother is leaving to go to war. during the year that her brother, Will, is gone life seems awfully boring for Simone, until she comes up with a brilliant idea. when she is 17, Simone asks her parents if she can help in the war by working on the phone lines near the battlefront.
h More...
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Oct 10, 2009
Ms Anderson
rated it:
Okay, so the ending was a little sappy and contrived, but that's fine. The rest of the book...well, it's interesting, but mostly because I didn't realize women went over to Europe during WWI in any other capacity than "nurse." So that part was cool. However, the book itself was just kinda...meh. It didn't seem terribly well-written or anything. In other words, topic = interesting, book = not so much.
3/5 on here, 6/10 for myself.
3/5 on here, 6/10 for myself.
Feb 28, 2010
Rebecca
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Seventeen-year-old Simone Spencer finds her life as a member of New York City society in 1917 empty, especially with the United States entering World War I and her older brother enlisting in the army. Simone is searching for meaning in her life, something she can do to contribute to the war effort -- and she thinks she has found it when she learns of a need for French-speaking American women to work as switchboard operators on the front. Simone travels to France, but is little prepared for the d
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Jul 16, 2010
Tracey
rated it:
-patriotism, WWI, role of women, courage
-research the role of women in WWI, "hello girls," create a poster/presentation to showcase findings
-research medical treatment for soldiers during WWI, write journal entries or letters home as a wounded soldier explaining treatments
-compare/contrast US social classes during WWI era using a Venn diagram or chart
-introduce a service related project/brainstorm serviceor patriotic activities
-research the role of women in WWI, "hello girls," create a poster/presentation to showcase findings
-research medical treatment for soldiers during WWI, write journal entries or letters home as a wounded soldier explaining treatments
-compare/contrast US social classes during WWI era using a Venn diagram or chart
-introduce a service related project/brainstorm serviceor patriotic activities
Jul 05, 2010
JocelynRose
rated it:
One of my favorites! I love the romance and the knack Simone has for bringing her story to life. Parts of it are really sad though, and my opinion is that Sam should have really died. It would have made the story that much more realistic. I'm not much of a hopeless romantic though, so I suppose the ending is better off left as it is.
Dec 26, 2009
Helen
rated it:
A very interesting story of the "hello girls" - French-speaking American ladies who were enlisted by the Signal Corps to act as telephone operators during WWI. These ladies were the only communications vehicles for Allied troops to communicate with each other during battles. Well worth reading.
Aug 10, 2011
Harle
rated it: 
Well, I half-read it, but I put it as read anyway. I stopped because it didn't keep my attention and told the same drab thing over and over and over. No drastic changes in the character's life, nothing exciting that would make me want to think 'What a great book, let's read more'.
Nov 10, 2011
Busylizzy111
rated it:
I really like the "Dear America Series". This book is written from the perspective of 17 year old Simone Spencer, who goes to France to be one of the "Hello girls" during WWI. It was an interesting story, but not the best writing.
May 30, 2009
Sue
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Tender read of Christmas gather during World War I Era. I enjoyed the characters and the book as well. I think it was written for young adults so my wilted mind picked right up on everything.
May 26, 2010
Elise
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I loved this book so much. It got me really hooked on the World Wars, and I loved the end so much I quoted it in my diary. It was such a sweet story, and I hope to read it again someday!
Dec 14, 2010
Laura
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I really enjoyed this diary and am impressed it's the author's first novel. I had no idea about much of WWI and the Hello Girls sounded like women I'd like to know.
May 02, 2010
Christie
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This is a great diary of Simone Spencer's view of WWI and the influence of the war on her and her family.
Jul 27, 2009
Jenna
rated it:
good book
ok book for learning about WW1
little romance never hurt anyone :)
ok book for learning about WW1
little romance never hurt anyone :)
Jul 16, 2008
Jacquie
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Fictional journal of a young woman who serves as a telephone operator on the World War I front lines. I especially loved the love story within!
Mar 25, 2010
Meredith
rated it:
Violet's 2009-2010 reading page: http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/sweetn...
Feb 11, 2012
