Valley of the Moon: the Diary of María Rosalia de Milagros

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Genre: History; Juvenile Historical Fiction; Historical - General; Racially mixed people; Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical; Juvenile Fiction; Children: Grades 4-6; Household employees; Historical - United States - 19th Century; Family - Orphans and Foster Homes; Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General; Orphans; 1846-1850; California; Fiction;

Average Review: 4.5 stars

Review: A Great Historical Fiction Book! : Valley of the Moon This story takes place in Sonoma Valley, Alta California, in the year 1846. The main character is a 13 year old girl named Maria Rosalia, but everyone calls her Rosa. Rosa's Spanish father and Indian mother died leaving her and her brother orphans. They now work as servants for Senor and Senora Medina and their 3 daughters. Every time Senor Medina praises one of his daughters Rosa feels sad because she doesn't have a father. She also feels awful every time someone pities her. Since most other people in the village have families, they don't understand Rosa's troubles. Rosa is determined to find out who her parents were, so she writes a letter to the man who cared for her before she went to the Medinas. Since this story takes place in rural village, it takes a long time to travel and get news. The tension builds as she waits for his return letter. Rosa is shocked when she reads his reply. I would recommend this book to girls who like reading dairies of girls from the past.