This is not a simplistic story of tragedy and triumph. Through pain, tortured souls travel different paths to cope with physical and emotional abuse at the hands of those supposedly most trusted. Relative is a term that can have two meanings here, because each persons journey can only truly be understood by that person alone. That idea comes through loud and clear. Their way of dealing, learning and growing after varying degrees of tragedy is as individual as each persons genetic make up. There is humor and ultimate triumph for some, while others continue on different journeys that have not lead to clarity just yet. Read this diary and see if you know people like this, I bet that you do, and learn from them. It is o.k. to be anywhere along your path as long as you keep searching for meaning in all of life's trials. That is what I learned from this book.

Rose's Journal is one of Marissa Moss' best books yet. It is both a vivid picture of the Depression era and a moving portrait of an individual child. Rose's relationships with her family, friends, farm animals and land are delicately, poignantly, and even humorously depicted. The narrator's soulful and childlike drawings leaven the serious text; her words are also enhanced visually with real photos of the time and drawings of her brother's comic strips. A humane, creative, refreshing and vivid way to present history to children.