This was the sequel to [b:The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777|510583|The Winter of Red Snow The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America)|Kristiana Gregory|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328012218l/510583._SX50_.jpg|597878]. Cannons at Dawn was worth listening to, but I did find it a bit dull at times. Still, it's a book that is completely clean and wholesome and that I would recommend to young girls, middle grade readers, and lovers of historical fiction and/or the Dear America series. ( )

The sequel to The Winter of Red Snow, set between January 1779 and the end of the Revolutionary War in October 1781. Abigail begins writing in her diary again when her family's home in Valley Forge is lost in a fire. While her older sister stays behind in Philadelphia, Abby, her mother, and her two younger siblings join her father, a soldier in the Continental Army, becoming camp followers with some of the other families of soldiers. There is much hardship from brutal winters, illness, and lack of food, but also happiness as Abby makes new friends and falls in love with a young soldier.

I'll write a longer review closer to the release date, but I really loved this book. The Winter of Red Snow was one of my favorite Dear America books, so I was really excited to read the sequel and it did not disappoint me at all. Highly recommended to all readers who have enjoyed other Dear America books. ( )

Abigail and her family lose their home to a fire, and because they have nowhere else to go, they become camp followers. As the Revolutionary War drags on, they experience hardship, fear, and danger, and witness decisive battles, near-mutiny among the ranks, and the treachery of Benedict Arnold. Amidst all of this, Abigail grows from a girl to a young woman, even falling in love with one of the young soldiers who serves in the same regiment as her father.

This is about on par with the rest of the Dear America series -- not one of the gems of the series, but one of the many utilitarian titles that will be useful to readers who devour historical fiction. Readers may find the plot hard to follow at times because they are hearing from Abigail a second- or third-hand account of battles and troop movements. Abigail's romance and courtship are barely hinted at, and though her character develops, she never seems like a unique individual, just an everywoman representing all of the young women who found themselves in similar circumstances. Readers who pick up this book should read its predecessor The Winter of the Red Snow first, to gain context about Abigail and her family. ( )