Plainsong for Caitlin

American Dreams

by Elizabeth M. Rees

Orphaned in 1872 Nebraska, fifteen-year-old Caitlin and her older sister, Rebecca, start their lives over on the wild prairie, where Caitlin learns to love and respect the land with the help of a handsome young man. Original.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Romance, 19th Century, Historical Romance

163 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have those moments where you just sit back and appreciate how amazing the internet is? I read this book as a kid and it's been on my mind lately, but I couldn't remember the title or author. So I just plugged in what I DID remember--the basic premise of the book--and google found it for me right away. Amazon had a used copy and it was at my doorstep a few days later.

Anyway, this was probably one of the few true YA books I read when I was an actual teen, those pre-Harry Potter, pre-Twilight days, where you practically moved straight from the Babysitters' Club to adult books. It seems like what YA books there were--at least, the ones I read--were often of this type. Historical romance. Maybe that's why I keep wanting more YA historical romance NOW.

And this one is interesting to look at from the perspective of today's book world, since it deals a lot with marriage. As it SHOULD for teens in that time period. I like that kind of realistic detail. I feel like that's missing some in today's YA.

And I still really enjoyed this book. It wasn't an absolute favorite of mine, but, still, I remembered it well enough to want to read it all these years later, so that says something, right? It's a love triangle, I suppose, but a two girl, one guy one, and one that's dealt with far more delicately than love triangles of today generally are.

I don't know how this become a musing on today's YA, but there you go.

Trigger warning for sexual assault.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book back in elementary school...I think I bought it at a book fair. I was probably about 12. I've read this book at least a dozen times. It's a short, quick read. It's not a great read by any means or anything, but it's one of those books that I can pick up late at night if I'm having trouble sleeping and can knock it out in just a couple of hours. I'm not really sure why I like reading it so much. Maybe because it has a bit of adventure to it?

(I don't remember the exact date I bought it, it was probably in the spring time, that's when the book fairs usually were....goodreads automatically puts in a date if I don't)

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of Caitlin and Rebecca's father, along with Rebecca's fiancee, Rebecca becomes a mail order bride and the girls head west to Nebraska. Except Rebecca isn't suited to pioneer life or Nate...and Caitlin is. I read this way back in middle school or high school and I don't care how stereotypic romance novel-y it is, I love it so hard. And I always will. Despite the cover. I love Nate. I love how he loves Rebecca despite everything and I love how he loves Caitlin for all her strength and abilities. And I love Olaf. Seriously. I'm making a little heart with my hands just thinking about them again. <3

(Clearly I have no objectivity when it comes to this book. Whatevs. Prairie life and romance. What else do I need?)

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was younger and I really liked it. It's the book that really got me into historical fiction which is my favorite literary genre. It's a romance definitely, but it also has a lot to teach about life in those days. I found that very interesting.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book since I was a little girl. I have loved this book and I always will love this book is the sweetest most tenderest love story. I wish hallmark would make it into a movie I would write the screenplay in a heartbeat. 30 years old and still rereading this from when I was 12. Amazing

[McKenna Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite childhood books. I read it every so often when I feel nostalgic. A short and sweet romance novel with a strong female protagonist. Will pass it down to my daughters someday.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a YA. The cover made me laugh as he looked like a young Fabio. Getting passed the cover, it was actually a simple YA historical romance published in the 90s. I love the internet. I can purchase it again as many of my YA books went missing in transition my family moving to a different state the summer between my high school senior graduation to my freshman year of college.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Caitlin's entire world falls apart when she recieves the news that her father has died in a shipwreck. Caitlin's older sister, Rebecca, decides the best thing for the two of them to do is to move west to Nebraska, where Rebecca is to marry a man she has never even met. But from the day they arrive in Nebraska and Caitlin meets Rebecca's husband-to-be, she knows this is going to be harder than she ever imagine. Caitlin and Nate fall in love immediatley, but Nate is determined to remain honorable and marry Rebecca, as he promised to do. Living in the same house as Nate is difficult for Caitlin, especially after Nate and Rebecca marry and Rebecca becomes pregnant. Although she eventually resigns herself to never having Nate, a terrible tragedy gives them a chance to be together, paving the way for an ending that is both happy and sad (with an especially ironic twist in the end).

A good young adult historical romance but rather sad and tragic.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a mail-order-bride story, but oh dear. This was on the "honor shelf" at the library and that nostalgic Avon Flare on the spine caught my eye. I'd never read any of the American Dreams series before. This book came out when I was 15, and maybe I would have liked it then. Now? Not so much.

This story is so full of tropes and schmaltz, I cringed often. Sixteen-year-old Caitlin is strong and brave. Older sister Rebecca is pale and frail. (Guess which one is blond and which one has black hair?) Nate's eyes change color with his moods.

And why must all homesteading stories be so full of tragedy and near-death? We know life was hard. Do we need wolves and prairie fire and death and almost-rape? Why, yes, of course, because no matter how strong and brave young Caitlin is, she still must be rescued. Sigh.

Two stars because both Caitlin and Rebecca had some redeeming qualities.

Typos spotted: 3.

[Courtney Wyant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from a school library, I throughly enjoyed this quick read while i was "listening" to my teacher teach. The characters were all well developed but I wished it to be a bit longer.
The author does a well job on the dialet of the speakers in the time, and I loved the setting with the thatch roof.
Caitlin reminds me alot of myself. She is so stubborn and thinks that if the boys can do it then so can I. She was the one who took care of herself and Rebecca, though Rebecca was the one who answered an add requesting a wife for marriage.
Rebecca was an interesting character but she was a tad too bit- bratish. I thought that Nate- the main hot guy in the book-( my second Dimitri and Patch ;) ) would have broken up with Rebecca but in the end it all turns well...
I loved the very end of the book when someone comes back but I wont leave a spoiler to who. :)

[Andrea Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I uncovered this book in middle school. Transparently, I think it is shaped much of my reading sense. Probably my earliest exposure to romance, and not only led me to the other American dreams books after this, but also expose me to the world of delayed gratification. Conflicted desires. Being a misfit in one world and a perfect fit for another.
Caitlin’s character is truly one of my favorite teenage characters in a book. While the MMC is a bit less flushed out and the romance itself is longing stares across bonding moments, you really get to know Caitlin, and her feelings resonate for a teen, but also as an adult now decades later I can understand her struggle.

Honestly just, bless this book. I love the American Dreams series for the historical fiction romance via library books I had access to, and I’m sad they’re so hard to find now.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet historical fiction novel about the settling of Nebraska in 1872. Sisters Caitlin and Rebecca lose everything when the ship their father and fiancee were on sinks. Rebecca decides to become a mail-order bride. There is no sex or swearing in the book, and the characters have integrity and high moral values. I have no idea why there is a man on the cover with his shirt unbuttoned to his belt. It makes it look like the novel is racy, but it isn't. It seems to me that those looking for a sensual novel would buy this and be upset because it is clean; those wanting a clean romance, wouldn't buy it because of the cover.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in a pile of free books and it gave me a feeling of nostalgia, so I took it home to love.
I think it was a decent story. It felt like the author was unable to give more depth to her characters and situations. I wish it could be given a non YA do-over.
That being said, I still enjoyed it for what it was.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread 3/12

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So romantic. I loved it.

[Catherine Boddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago and remember loving it. I have to wonder if I would still think it was as good if I reread it now.

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets 4 stars for the childhood memories. I loved this kind of historical romance while I was growing up.