Sollace Hotze

The basic story: a white girl (Rachel) is kidnapped by native Americans for seven years where she is adopted by a loving family, but is then forcefully returned to her white family, which is dominated by her abusive minister father.

To be honest, this is the kind of book I would have loved at like age 10, and probably read repeatedly. As an adult, I can see it's problematic on many levels. I was relieved that it didn't go for the "Indians are bad, white Christian man is good" binary; both societies are depicted with nuance, with good and bad people in each. That said, the depictions of the Native Americans feel... like they were derived from watching a lot of westerns.

Considering the simplistic prose and middle grade presentation of the book, I was startled that the book mentioned Rachel getting raped repeatedly at age 10, and that another character is also raped and impregnated, and it was all described in a way that was very victim-blaming that was never challenged. As historically-accurate as that is, it also makes me cringe because I would have (and did) internalize that kind of stuff as a kid.

The villain of the piece, Rachel's father, feels like a stock character. His actions at the end don't feel like they fit at all. The hopeful ending feels shoe-horned in.

Even by 1980s standards, this feels like hack-level historical fiction for the juvenile market.… (meer)

SUMMER ENDINGS by Sollace Hotze
It is 1945. The war is over, but Christine’s POW father still has not been heard from. Christine, 12, is in her sister’s wedding and misses Rosie sharply when she moves away. A bright spot is working as a soda jerk at the local drug store and later dancing at the Aragon Ballroom.
This coming of age novel intended for the young adult audience provides enough meat for adults to enjoy as well. Well written with believable characters and situations that give a glimpse of life in post war Chicago.
5 of 5 stars… (meer)

Easier to take than other hist. fic. I've been reading, as this had more of the nice mundane things that do happen, more often than not, even in times of war. That is to say, almost as palatable as a Little House episode, with just enough excitement to be enjoyable. Good attention to detail, like using make-up for lack of nylon stockings, and mixing the dye into the Oleo. Good characters, especially the sketches of the minor ones like the hairdresser Tilly and the soda jerk Peter. Otoh, not dramatic or gorgeous or otherwise special or memorable.… (meer)