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Quilt Trilogy #1
A Stitch in Time
With quilting on the rise as a hot trend, it's time for this reissue by our top historical-fiction maven. The brilliantly woven 1st book "will leave readers in eager anticipation of its successors"-PW
"Everyone who has touched their lives...will have a square in the quilt."
Hannah is the strong one. The one who cares for her brothers and sisters; the one who's kept the family together. But now, everything is changing. Her father is more distant, and her siblings are starting lives of their own. That's when Hannah decides to make a quilt. A quilt of fabrics from people who are special to the family; people they trust. And when the sisters are separated, Hannah makes sure they each have a piece of the quilt. The quilt she hopes will bring her family together again.
"Everyone who has touched their lives...will have a square in the quilt."
Hannah is the strong one. The one who cares for her brothers and sisters; the one who's kept the family together. But now, everything is changing. Her father is more distant, and her siblings are starting lives of their own. That's when Hannah decides to make a quilt. A quilt of fabrics from people who are special to the family; people they trust. And when the sisters are separated, Hannah makes sure they each have a piece of the quilt. The quilt she hopes will bring her family together again.
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1994
10 people are currently reading
738 people want to read
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
69 books986 followersAnn Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was listed as one the best novels of the preceding twenty-five years, and later of the last one hundred years. She is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, a series of historical fiction novels set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 21, 2018
I rarely finish books to which I'd give 3/5 stars... There are just too many good books in this world to read the so-so ones, for me. :-) This one, though, would have been a 4/5 star book, were it not for a pervasive theme that doesn't set well with me as a Christian and which I think would not be the best for teens to be inundated with.
So, the good:
* Excellent descriptions of the setting (colonial Salem, MA) and the seafaring culture -- I come originally from around the area she is describing and recognized the authenticity of Rinaldi's descriptions. I could nearly taste the salty spray of the sea at times. The author excelled at accurately describing the time period and the setting.
* Interesting storyline, especially with each of the children's storylines.
* Included the little details that make me as a reader want to read more about the real-life people included in this story.
* There is a really excellent emphasis on earned trust being essential to any lasting and good relationship.
The not-great:
* Due to an evil trait in the father, the children and their significant others feel at liberty to deceive, disobey, and at times embarrass him, sometimes for a "good" reason, but other times to satisfy their own desires to be avenged of his destructive work in their lives. This is the pervasive element I talked about above and which really ruined the book for me and makes me unable to recommend it.
So, the good:
* Excellent descriptions of the setting (colonial Salem, MA) and the seafaring culture -- I come originally from around the area she is describing and recognized the authenticity of Rinaldi's descriptions. I could nearly taste the salty spray of the sea at times. The author excelled at accurately describing the time period and the setting.
* Interesting storyline, especially with each of the children's storylines.
* Included the little details that make me as a reader want to read more about the real-life people included in this story.
* There is a really excellent emphasis on earned trust being essential to any lasting and good relationship.
The not-great:
* Due to an evil trait in the father, the children and their significant others feel at liberty to deceive, disobey, and at times embarrass him, sometimes for a "good" reason, but other times to satisfy their own desires to be avenged of his destructive work in their lives. This is the pervasive element I talked about above and which really ruined the book for me and makes me unable to recommend it.
October 14, 2025
Not a favorite from this author. The historical details about Salem, shipping, frontier exploration were all interesting, but the family story at the heart of this was very tense and stressful. I found myself alternately putting off finishing the story and trying to hurry through to be done with it.
A main theme in the novel was using other people to your advantage and how all of us do that. While this is true (to some extent) it didn’t make for very uplifting or compelling reading. There were several instances where characters bartered with one another’s lives, whether all parties were aware or not, to get their own advantageous end.
This story had some nice moments, particularly Hannah‘s romance with her childhood friend, but ultimately this was a downer of a book. I had requested the two sequels from my library but I am not particularly interested in slogging through more hard times for this family to see how the story resolves. I still recommend Ann Rinaldi, but this is one I doubt I will reread.
A main theme in the novel was using other people to your advantage and how all of us do that. While this is true (to some extent) it didn’t make for very uplifting or compelling reading. There were several instances where characters bartered with one another’s lives, whether all parties were aware or not, to get their own advantageous end.
This story had some nice moments, particularly Hannah‘s romance with her childhood friend, but ultimately this was a downer of a book. I had requested the two sequels from my library but I am not particularly interested in slogging through more hard times for this family to see how the story resolves. I still recommend Ann Rinaldi, but this is one I doubt I will reread.
March 27, 2013
“Repairing and Blending the Fabric of their Lives”
In this first novel of the Quilt trilogy Rinaldi introduces readers to a gentle, compassionate 6-year-old protagonist, Hannah Chelmsford of Salem, Ma. The Revolutionary War has ended; the former colonists are moving West—to the wild frontier of Kentucky where the relations between the Shawnee and Americans are becoming strained, resulting in hostilities on both sides. Back in civilized New England the Chelmsford household, ruled by a domineering patriarch, is in turmoil as a result of secret grudges gradually coming to the fore.
Since the death of their mother two sons and three daughters have struggled with self-esteem issues, emotional survival and guilt about the past. Yet it remains Hannah’s cherished dream to create a family quilt--thereby reconnecting the broken threads of her parents’ and sibling’s lives. Her request for fabric scraps from some of her friends sparks resentment from her irascible father. This tyrannical man seems to hate his youngest, 12-year-old Cabot, yet he favors his willful, odd-eyed daughter, Thankful over her sisters. In fact Chelsmford blames Hannah, mistress of this dysfunctional family at a tender age, for conniving with Abby’s elopement to her Southern beau, and later for urging that he bring Thankful with him on his journey West.
Uneasy whispers about her maligned mother’s past creep gradually into the open, as Hannah faces serious challenges: to stitch her own portion of the Quilt, to effect reforms at her father’s new textile mill, and to monitor her confused young heart’s yearnings between Louis, a lost love now on the frontier, and for Richard, a childhood friend and protector, now a sea captain. This loyal and devoted daughter yearns for peace within her tortured family, secretly dreaming to somehow repair cruel damage done in the painful past. Will she ever achieve freedom from her father’s insidious control, whose financial manipulation controls even her fiancé? The carefully-crafted plot is cleverly layered onto an historical setting which includes details about Yankee shipping, the textile industry, and how the near West was won. Makes readers want to continue with the next book in the series.
(March 27, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
In this first novel of the Quilt trilogy Rinaldi introduces readers to a gentle, compassionate 6-year-old protagonist, Hannah Chelmsford of Salem, Ma. The Revolutionary War has ended; the former colonists are moving West—to the wild frontier of Kentucky where the relations between the Shawnee and Americans are becoming strained, resulting in hostilities on both sides. Back in civilized New England the Chelmsford household, ruled by a domineering patriarch, is in turmoil as a result of secret grudges gradually coming to the fore.
Since the death of their mother two sons and three daughters have struggled with self-esteem issues, emotional survival and guilt about the past. Yet it remains Hannah’s cherished dream to create a family quilt--thereby reconnecting the broken threads of her parents’ and sibling’s lives. Her request for fabric scraps from some of her friends sparks resentment from her irascible father. This tyrannical man seems to hate his youngest, 12-year-old Cabot, yet he favors his willful, odd-eyed daughter, Thankful over her sisters. In fact Chelsmford blames Hannah, mistress of this dysfunctional family at a tender age, for conniving with Abby’s elopement to her Southern beau, and later for urging that he bring Thankful with him on his journey West.
Uneasy whispers about her maligned mother’s past creep gradually into the open, as Hannah faces serious challenges: to stitch her own portion of the Quilt, to effect reforms at her father’s new textile mill, and to monitor her confused young heart’s yearnings between Louis, a lost love now on the frontier, and for Richard, a childhood friend and protector, now a sea captain. This loyal and devoted daughter yearns for peace within her tortured family, secretly dreaming to somehow repair cruel damage done in the painful past. Will she ever achieve freedom from her father’s insidious control, whose financial manipulation controls even her fiancé? The carefully-crafted plot is cleverly layered onto an historical setting which includes details about Yankee shipping, the textile industry, and how the near West was won. Makes readers want to continue with the next book in the series.
(March 27, 2013. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
September 21, 2016
Real good but the book ending without making much sense. She was supposed to marry Richard then the marriage is being delayed. Then Thankful was to stay in some Indian camp. What is this? Besides that it was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2010
I'm going to try and make this a short review because I can't really say much without giving everything away!
First and foremost, I've heard a good deal about Ann Rinaldi's writing. She is a historical fiction writer and I love, love, love this genre. So this became the first book I read by her and I loved it. It gave a good insight to what life in 1788 was like. Further more, this story took place in Salem, Massachusetts where the Salem Witch Trails were held. Until this book, I didn't read much about this sea post town and how the war had affected it.
Even more than that, I loved Hannah's character from the beginning. She was a strong willed, courageous girl who went to all odds to keep her family together. As the reader, you have to give Hannah a lot of credit because so much is going on in her life! Not only goes her sister elope, her father, brother and another sister go out west, and soon Hannah's once betrothal comes to Salem with a half-Indian baby.
As the story progressed, Hannah became more and more independent and she grew up into a woman. There were ups and downs, times when she wanted to scream or cry, but she held in. Ann Rinaldi wrote a book that caught my attention and kept it. Maybe it's the history geek in my saying that this was an engaging read.
But one thing in this book that was interesting to me was Abigail's (she's one of Hannah's younger sisters) elopement . Her beau, Nathaniel, was 24 while she, Abigail, was get this, 15. I think I'm still getting used to the fact that back then, such marriages weren't that...weird? But I thought it was interesting how well Rinaldi wrote about Abby and Nate's relationship. Though they weren't mentioned a lot, I could see how two people of such different ages could be together.
First and foremost, I've heard a good deal about Ann Rinaldi's writing. She is a historical fiction writer and I love, love, love this genre. So this became the first book I read by her and I loved it. It gave a good insight to what life in 1788 was like. Further more, this story took place in Salem, Massachusetts where the Salem Witch Trails were held. Until this book, I didn't read much about this sea post town and how the war had affected it.
Even more than that, I loved Hannah's character from the beginning. She was a strong willed, courageous girl who went to all odds to keep her family together. As the reader, you have to give Hannah a lot of credit because so much is going on in her life! Not only goes her sister elope, her father, brother and another sister go out west, and soon Hannah's once betrothal comes to Salem with a half-Indian baby.
As the story progressed, Hannah became more and more independent and she grew up into a woman. There were ups and downs, times when she wanted to scream or cry, but she held in. Ann Rinaldi wrote a book that caught my attention and kept it. Maybe it's the history geek in my saying that this was an engaging read.
But one thing in this book that was interesting to me was Abigail's (she's one of Hannah's younger sisters) elopement . Her beau, Nathaniel, was 24 while she, Abigail, was get this, 15. I think I'm still getting used to the fact that back then, such marriages weren't that...weird? But I thought it was interesting how well Rinaldi wrote about Abby and Nate's relationship. Though they weren't mentioned a lot, I could see how two people of such different ages could be together.
May 8, 2020
I have read these books more than once since purchasing them for our daughters in the 1990's. They are complex enough for adults and do not contain swearing or sex although there is romance.
July 2, 2011
This was better than I was expecting. I have also read Girl in Blue by Rinaldi and loved it, so I decided to try this series. A Stitch in Time was a very fast read and I want to know more about Hannah and her life. However, I think the other two books in the series are about totally different people. It was kind of weird to read about the new country of America while learning about it in summer school history. It's so weird - once you learn about something, you seem to notice it more and more. Just in the first few pages I read about Shay's Rebellion, the closing of Boston Harbor, troubles with the rebellions, and ships utilizing the slave trade. And I understood the implications and background behind all of them. It's amazing how much history affects our daily lives. This book perfectly expressed people's reactions to things such as Indians and slaves. It gave a voice to the people I had been learning about. Rinaldi really knows her stuff. I love historical fiction and am going to read the next two in the trilogy soon.
October 25, 2011
What a boring book! I read it on the recommendation of the school librarian. She heard I took an interest in reading historical fiction and suggested Ann Rinaldi. I found it to be light on the historical side and even worse on plot. I was so sick of hearing about the mother that fed the British and Hannah's woes as her family rifts further apart.
The rest has spoilers, but I refuse to censor my whole review because I think people need to know what kind of snooze-fest their in for. If you even have a mild interest in this book, don't read on. You have been warned.
The ending epilogue pisses me off to no end. Thankful being worshiped and refuses to go home because of her own selfishness. She doesn't even consider the fact that her brother and Louis can never go home to their families because she's being such a brat. And what's with this quilt?! Threadbare meaning at the most. "Oh, you can only contribute to the quilt if the family trusts you. Will you give me a piece of cloth for the quilt?" Lame.
The rest has spoilers, but I refuse to censor my whole review because I think people need to know what kind of snooze-fest their in for. If you even have a mild interest in this book, don't read on. You have been warned.
The ending epilogue pisses me off to no end. Thankful being worshiped and refuses to go home because of her own selfishness. She doesn't even consider the fact that her brother and Louis can never go home to their families because she's being such a brat. And what's with this quilt?! Threadbare meaning at the most. "Oh, you can only contribute to the quilt if the family trusts you. Will you give me a piece of cloth for the quilt?" Lame.
February 3, 2016
This is the first part of the quilt trilogy by Ann Rinaldi. It starts off in 1798 and centers around a girl named Hannah and her family. Her father is ultra-nasty; her mother is dead; she has a younger sister who is basically a total brat, and a younger brother who is fascinated with ships.
The book is basically a story of the family and how it goes through a variety of changes. There's a good bit of romance, but also a good bit of nastiness from her father, from another man, and a bad situation for women workers in a textile mill.
There's nothing of any major historical importance about the book, other then it gives one a view of events going on at that time in the nation's history including the increasing number of wars with Native Americans as settlers were pushing further and further west.
The other two books will continue the story of further generations in the family.
The book is basically a story of the family and how it goes through a variety of changes. There's a good bit of romance, but also a good bit of nastiness from her father, from another man, and a bad situation for women workers in a textile mill.
There's nothing of any major historical importance about the book, other then it gives one a view of events going on at that time in the nation's history including the increasing number of wars with Native Americans as settlers were pushing further and further west.
The other two books will continue the story of further generations in the family.
April 19, 2010
Pretty good. Does anyone remember John Jakes and his big series of books about a family moving out west and all their heartaches, etc? This is kind of like that on a much smaller scale. Hard to get into b/c not much in-depth about any one character, but a LOT of events happening that swirl around one person, and a lot of characters in her life. A good review of life at that time, I suppose. Not my fav by this author.
February 17, 2011
I liked the book and the connection that Rinaldi brought to the family that is falling apart. When a family does fall apart there is often one person, in this case Hannah, who tries to be the connecting force. Hannah tries to connect everything in her life together by creating a quilt. It is a quilt of trust as she tries to bring those she trusts together in a post revolutionary Salem, Massachusetts.
March 26, 2020
I don't think I'd love this quite as much reading it for the first time as an adult, but in middle school, I found it SO romantic. I was fascinated by the setting, which Rinaldi always shines when writing, and this book definitely contributed to my lifelong love of tall ships. The maritime culture suffused through this book is wonderful. I didn't like the sequels quite as much, but this one captured my imagination, and it does hold up to later rereadings.
December 21, 2009
A Stitch in Time seemed a bit slow at first, but then I started to care about the characters. By the end, I was wishing I had the sequel so I could keep reading about this post-Revolutionary Salem, Massachusetts family. I love historical fiction. The perfect occupier for a rainy-day-stay-at-home-with-a-headcold read. (Reads like a Hallmark movie.) 6th grade reading level.
December 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this exciting and engaging story about a family seemingly becoming ripped apart. Heather tries really hard to keep them altogether even when challenged with so many different things and issues of trust. I love the idea of a trust quilt that she makes with only fabric from loved ones the family trusts.
This is my series selection.
This is my series selection.
December 23, 2008
I might be alone in my saying this, but this was a rather good book. Nobody that has read it seems to agree with me, and it does get slow in parts, but I pleasured to see how this part of family history began.
June 13, 2009
This is the story of a disfunctional family in the post-revolutionary war era and of one daughter always trying to hold everyone together. It is very powerful and a little haunting. I am excited to read the rest of the series.
September 7, 2010
Ann Rinaldi was one of my favorite authors growing up. She writes historical fiction for young adults and does a fantastic job. I remember her books well. I think I may re read this one to see if it is as good as I remember even 10 plus years later.
September 16, 2010
How much do I enjoy Historical novels and Rinaldi is the expert. It is obvious that she has done much research! Her characters are well developed and the story-line is intriguing. I am ready to read the next book in the series!
November 8, 2010
I loved this book!! There was a little of everything in it -romance, defiance, ect... This was the best of the trilogy in my opinion (of course I didn't like that the trilogy took on different generations in each book).
January 7, 2014
I read this series to see if it was appropriate for my 12 year old. While the story line was okay, there was adultery/affairs (no details, but was throughout the book) as well as a couple instances of blasphemy.
June 24, 2014
Wow, I am finally done with this book! It was slow going for me until the middle of it and then the pace started to pick up and get really interesting. I may even read the other two books in the series. I would recommend it for anyone who likes historic fiction books.
June 2, 2017
This was my introduction to Ann Rinaldi, and I really enjoyed the whole series. Rinaldi was the turning point between my vehement denial that historical fiction was of any interest to me and my love of the genre.
August 25, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! I wish it ended a little differently. I would love to know how Richard and Hannah's life turned out. I love Ann's writing style and cannot wait to read more of her books!
August 7, 2018
How are all of Ann Rinaldi's books so good?! I don't love all of them; not all of them are the same level of Ultra-Amazing as In My Father's House; but I don't think I've read a single one that wasn't solid.
May 11, 2007
I was hooked on her writing. They are researched history books with the character experiencing the events. This book disappointed me when I could not continue the trilogy.
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October 8, 2008Lisa C. and I loved her books
June 18, 2009
Salem, MA, 1788-91
Social structure of New England town
Trading voyages
Conflict with Indians
Early mills and conditions of girls working there
Social structure of New England town
Trading voyages
Conflict with Indians
Early mills and conditions of girls working there
January 28, 2017
I remember looking at this book at BN for a LONG time...finally bought it and loooved it.
September 3, 2009
This was a really quick read. I enjoyed it, and will probably look for the rest of the books in the series.
September 25, 2009
Not what I expected, but was interested in the historical background. Very saga oriented.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews