Holidays at Roselands
#2 in Elsie Dinsmore Series
on Goodreads (1,020)
What’s inside...
Holidays at Roselands' is the second book in the 'Elsie Dinsmore' series by Martha Finley. The story continues to follow the life of Elsie Dinsmore, a young and pious girl living in the South before the Civil War. In this installment, Elsie spends the holiday season at Roselands, the family plantation. Despite the festive atmosphere, Elsie faces challenges as she navigates relationships with her often harsh and unsympathetic family members. Her deep Christian faith and moral convictions are tested as she confronts issues of obedience, loyalty, and the desire for familial love and acceptance. The book portrays Elsie's unwavering commitment to her beliefs and her struggle to balance her own desires with her duty to her family and God.
Character compass
Elsie Dinsmore Raymond
Aunt Chloe
Horace Dinsmore
Adelaide Dinsmore
Enna Dinsmore
Discussion points
How do you think Elsie's feelings change throughout the story, and what causes those changes?
What are some of the important lessons Elsie learns about friendship and family in the book?
If you could give Elsie advice at any point in the story, what would you tell her and why?
How do the different settings in the book, like Roselands and Ion, affect the characters and the story?
Can you relate to any of the characters' experiences? How would you handle similar situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Elsie’s shoes while discussing the book, which can foster empathy and deeper understanding of the character’s emotions and decisions.
Highlight key themes such as resilience and moral integrity by discussing relevant scenes and asking your child how they feel about the characters’ actions.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of family and friendship, asking your child to share personal experiences that relate to these themes.
Talk about the historical setting of the book and how it influences the characters' behavior and challenges; this can lead to a deeper understanding of the context of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Throughout 'Holidays at Roselands', characters demonstrate compassion and thoughtfulness towards others, creating harmonious relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons by being considerate and helpful to family members and peers, building strong interpersonal connections.
Example Lesson: Resilience in difficult times
Explanation: The protagonist faces various challenges but learns to overcome them with perseverance and a positive attitude.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to remain determined and optimistic, even when faced with obstacles in school or other activities.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the book who uphold honesty are portrayed positively, reinforcing the benefits of being truthful.
Real-World Application: Children learn to foster trust and integrity by being honest in their daily interactions and decisions.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The story depicts characters making mistakes but learning important lessons from them, emphasizing personal growth.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to view mistakes as opportunities for learning and self-improvement.