Rinaldi, A. (1999). The Coffin Quilt: The Feud Between the Hatfields and the McCoys. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN: 9780152164508
· Plot Summary
Fannie McCoy's family has had an ongoing rivalry with the Hatfields since the 1860s, based mainly on the murder of Asa Harman McCoy. The two families were on opposite sides in the Civil War, and have not been able to resolve their differences. By 1878, it only took a dispute over a hog to make the volatile situation explode, and two years later Ro McCoy, has decided to live out of wedlock with Johnse Hatfield. There are five girls in the McCoy clan, but Ro is the prettiest girl in the area, and Fannie is her favorite sister. In contrast, Fannie faces hostility from not just her family's enemy, but her other seven siblings as well. When Ro becomes pregnant, and the violence between the two families escalates out of control, Fannie knows she must find a way to get out.
· Critical Evaluation
Ro is initially given the quilt with the images of coffins, and the names of her family on each, from the Hatfields. It's a perverse testimony to how much hatred runs between the two clans. The families devise codes of conduct that have nothing to do with the law, and the quilt becomes a strange focus for Ro's wish to fuel the animosity.
· Reader’s Annotation
A novel, but with few elements of light to alleviate the overall impression of a grim reality. Based on an actual feud between the two families, as seen through the eyes of an unwilling participant.
· Information about the author
Ann Rinaldi was born in New York City in 1934, but after the death of her mother, went to live with her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn. Her father remarried, and they moved to New Jersey, where he did not allow Ann to attend college. In 1960, she married her husband and they had two children. Her writing career began in 1969 with a short weekly column in the Somerset Messenger Gazette. Since then, she has authored over a dozen novels for children and young adults, primarily works of historical non-fiction.
· Genre
Historical Non-Fiction
· Curriculum Ties
History
· Booktalking Ideas
History of West Virginia/Kentucky during the Civil War
New Year's Night Massacre as reflection of clan hatred.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-9/Ages 11-14
· Challenge Issues
Heavy in mentions of murders, burnings, etc, but not saturated in gore. This is an excellent example of how hatred can fuel unrest, in a way that is less pervasive than in war. Could be used as a real life counterpart to a reading of Romeo and Juliet.
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
In doing my portion of the report on non-fiction, I ran across mention of Mrs.Rinaldi's work. I enjoy historical fiction, as well as information surrounding the American Civil War.
