Rachel Field

Rachel Field (1894-1942) was an American writer who created influential works across multiple genres including children's literature, poetry, novels, and plays during the early 20th century. Her most celebrated work is the children's book "Hitty, Her First Hundred Years," which won the Newbery Medal in 1930. Field established herself as a versatile author, writing successful adult novels including the bestsellers "Time Out of Mind" (1935), "All This and Heaven Too" (1938), and "And Now Tomorrow" (1942). Her novel "All This and Heaven Too" was adapted into a major motion picture starring Bette Davis. The coast of Maine served as a significant influence on Field's writing, particularly evident in works like "Calico Bush" (1931), which is considered a masterful portrayal of colonial life in New England. Her connection to this region began in her youth and continued to shape her literary output throughout her career. Field's literary accomplishments extended beyond prose, as she was also an accomplished poet and playwright. Her work was recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the National Book Award, and her lasting influence is reflected in the placement of two of her books on the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award list.

Readers consistently rate Field's historical novels and children's books 4+ stars across platforms, praising her detailed period research and emotional depth. What readers liked: - Authentic historical details and settings, especially in "Calico Bush" - Complex characters that avoid stereotypes - Ability to write for both children and adults - Strong female protagonists - Rich descriptions of Maine coastal life What readers disliked: - Pacing in some novels feels slow for modern readers - Language can be dated - Some find the historical details overwhelming Ratings breakdown: Goodreads: - Hitty, Her First Hundred Years: 4.0/5 (7,800+ ratings) - All This and Heaven Too: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Calico Bush: 4.1/5 (2,300+ ratings) Amazon: - Hitty averages 4.5/5 - All This and Heaven Too averages 4.3/5 One reader noted: "Field captures the essence of New England life without romanticizing it." Another commented: "Her characters feel real - they make mistakes and grow from them."

Hitty, Her First Hundred Years (1929) A Newbery Medal-winning novel that follows the adventures of a small wooden doll over a century of American history, from Maine to New Orleans to the South Seas.

Calico Bush (1931) Set in colonial Maine, this historical novel tells the story of a 13-year-old French orphan who becomes a "bound-out girl" to a family of American settlers.

Prayer for a Child (1944) A bedtime prayer illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones, published posthumously and awarded the Caldecott Medal.

Time Out of Mind (1935) A novel chronicling three generations of a Maine shipbuilding family as they face the decline of their way of life.

All This and Heaven Too (1938) A historical novel based on a true story about a French governess involved in a scandal that shook French society in the 1840s.

And Now Tomorrow (1942) The story of a wealthy young woman who becomes deaf and must navigate both her disability and class differences in her New England mill town.

Points East (1930) A collection of poetry focusing on New England themes and landscapes.

God's Pocket (1934) A historical novel about the maritime trade between New England and China in the early 19th century.

Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote about young female protagonists in rural settings during the early 1900s and created detailed historical atmospheres similar to Field. Her works like Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon share Field's focus on strong-willed characters finding their place in traditional communities.

Elizabeth George Speare focused on colonial New England settings and young protagonists facing historical challenges. Her works The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Sign of the Beaver parallel Field's historical authenticity and New England themes.

Eleanor Estes wrote children's literature in the same era as Field with similar attention to historical detail and everyday life. Her works like The Moffats and Ginger Pye share Field's ability to create memorable child characters in realistic historical settings.

Elizabeth Enright created multi-layered stories about family life and childhood experiences during the mid-20th century. Her works The Saturdays and Gone-Away Lake demonstrate the same careful character development and sense of place found in Field's writing.

Kate Seredy wrote children's books that combined historical settings with compelling character development in the 1930s and 1940s. Her works The Good Master and The White Stag share Field's talent for weaving historical facts into engaging narratives.