Janice Meredith is one of my all time favorite books. I read this book over 30 years ago and would love to read it again. It was part of a school assignment. In the 8th grade Johnny Tremaine was a required reading assignment. Our class was given an assignment to read another historical novel also taking place during the American Revolution. The book Janice Meredith was one of the 20 books we could choose from (if we could find it). It was the only book on the list with a female central character and my local library had a copy of the book in their "old books" section.

The book begins with Janice and her family at home at the beginning of the Revolution. Janice's father is a troy, which means he was a support of the British. The male central character (whose name escapes me, but I'll refer to as Mark)was an indentured servant working for her father. He and Janice are friends, who eventually fall in love, but there are obstacles in the way. For one thing, he leaves the Meredith's family's service before his indenture period is over in order to join the Revolutionary army. Before he leaves he gives Janice a locket. Inside is a picture of a beautiful woman, who the reader and Janice eventually meet.

The book continues with Janice's adventures during the revolution. She meets "Mark" several times throughout the book. Janice also meets many well known historical figures along the way, including George & Martha Washington. "Mark" becomes an officer and is on General Washington's staff.

Janice meets the woman, whose picture is in the locket and is jealous. Eventually, she learns who the woman is. At one point Janice and "Mark" are engaged, but the engagement is broken. Janice's father is an active troy and he becomes a prisioner of the Revolutionary Army. Janice asks "Mark" for his help to save her father. He ends up doing something that could get him in serious trouble himself. He never tells Janice. Her father is free, but the engagement is broken. It is Martha & George Washington, who eventually tell Janice what "Mark" did to save her father and at what risk to himself.

I rate this book "5 star." As I said it is one of my all time favorite books, which I would love to read again. Even after 30 years I remember the book. This is a book for adults and one that parents can feel comfortable giving to a 13 year old to read.