Finishing Becca: A Story about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold

by Ann Rinaldi

Book Overview

An independent-minded young maid tells the story of social-climber Peggy Shippen and how she influenced Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the Patriot forces. Revolutionary Philadelphia is brought to life... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152008799
• ISBN13: 9780152008796
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Finishing Becca

Finishing Becca is a historical fiction novel about a girl living during the American Revolutionary War. Becca Syng is a 14 year old girl sent to be the personal maid of Peggy Shippen, a spoiled Quaker daughter who just happens to be the most beautiful girl in all of Philadelphia. She is sent to be finished by her mother, but Becca learns much more than French, art and crewel work. What I liked most about this book was Ann Rinaldi's ability to capture what was going on in the mind of an American colonist; and a teenager no less. Rinaldi bottled Becca's opinions, ideas, and thoughts about what her country and her country's soldiers were going through. There wasn't much to dislike about this book. Some scenes put very graphic pictures in your mind, but other than that this book is great. My favorite character in this book is Becca because she and I share some of the same characteristics. Becca is always curious and always wondering about the world around her. Just like me. The scene that I thought was the most moving was when Becca helps one of the Shippen girls with one of her missions. This book is different to me because it is a historical fiction, but it is also suspense-mysteryish along with a touch of comedy. If you read this book, you will be entertained and you will learn at the same time. If I could go back in time, the questions that I would ask are: Did Peggy Shippen really turn Arnold against his country? Was Mr. Shippen really all that neutral? Was Peggy really that horrible? I strongly recommend this book because you can learn about all the bad stuff that went on behind the lines on both sides. This book is really worth reading.

very educational! awesome book.

Finnishing Becca is the story about a girl named Becca Syng, who comes to be a hand maiden to Peggy Shippen. When she is sent there to be "finnished," the only thing she learns is deciet by the time Peggy marries General Benedict Arnold, an American traitor. This book was fascinating, and it makes me feel so cool that I now know the story of two very famous Americans who lived during the Revolution. I would suggest all of Ann Rinaldi's books, they're fantastic!!! I would reccommend THE FIFTH OF MARCH(must read), In My Father's House, An Aquaintance With Darkness, The Coffin Quilt, A Break With Charity, Cast Two Shadows, The Secret of Sarah Revere, and The Last Silk Dress. They were all fantastic!

A must read!

Being a thirteen year old fascinated by the American Revolution, I found this book entertaining, and informative. I loved reading about the real life characters (who are portrayed as humans), and I got an inside view on the time period. It was extremely hard to put down, and fun book to read, unlike your dry social studies text books. Anyone who loves the American Revolution, or just wants to know more about it should read this book. Also, Ann Rinaldi is a very talented writer, so all of her books are highly recommended by me, especially this one.

Wonderfully written; Worth buying

This book is one of the Historical Fiction Guru's (Ann Rinaldi) best. I love the way she yells the story of two girls in the same story. My favorite character was Persifor,but I wont ruin the suprise by telling you who he is(hint: He shows up in more than one place than the Shippen's back door). I enjoyed the epilogue and the historical note too. I learned so much about this period of history and Benedict Arnold just by reading this excellent book. If you enjoyed this one you will also enjoy: The Second Bend in the River,Time Enough for Drums,Wolf by the Ears,Bloomability,Walk Two Moons,Absolutely Normal Chaos,and Chasing Redbird

Good historical story!

This book was GREAT! It told about the life of Peggy Shippen.It was very interesting to read about how life was back then! I thinkeveryone should read this book because it is GREAT. Defiantly one to get! END