Hannah's Helping Hands

Pioneer Daughter #2

by Jean Van Leeuwen, Donna Diamond (Illustrator)

In Hannah of Fairfield, Hannah would rather be nursing a fragile spring lamb back to health than counting stitches. How can she concentrate when the war is so close? Everyone in Fairfield is doing all they can to help the colonial army battle the British for independence. How can Hannah help? In Hannah's Helping Hands, Hannah worries about her brother Ben, who is off fighting in the war. But she still has to pluck the geese, help shear the sheep, and do endless sewing. When British soldiers raid her town, Hannah finds the war has come dangerously close to home.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction

Library Binding

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Jean Van Leeuwen was an American children's book author, of over forty children's books, including the Oliver Pig series, and Bound for Oregon.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella from the 'pioneer daughters' set even though I know it is likely out of favor for its Christian references and fairly dated approach to the time period. Set in 1779, we experience an ordinary week of farm chores before the family loses its home to an attack by British soldiers.

cw: peril in wartime, home lost to fire, very tenderhearted readers might be bothered by feathers pulled from geese or a sheep injured during shearing. Death of neighbors to fever while soldiers. One brief, unexamined reference to an enslaved person.

(From Seattle neighborhood free book box - appears to have been culled from a classroom library or borrowed without returning to Ms. Anna.)

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 2-4 88pgs

1779, Fairfield CT. Hannah continues to do her daily chores while wondering how Ben is doing now that he's a colonial soldier. She worries about him and about the news that towns are being attack by British soldiers along the river. Could British soldiers come to Fairfield?


continuation of Hannah of Fairfield

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was during war time. Their house burns down from aa enemy armies burning things in their path. Hannah cares for things. Since her brohers are gone to war, she helps her father with the sheep.

[Vanessa VD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I do have an idea on working on a farm in 1779... Is exhausting; but the spirit of life and family are so moving that enhances the liberty to become free. A very nice story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Kids can't wait to read the last book in this series. We have to find it first :)

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

References to faith in God made this a refreshing book; hope in adversity and the importance of family and life.