This second book in the Quilt Trilogy concentrates on the clash between whites and Native Americans. Even in such established communities as Salem, Massachusetts, during the early years of the nineteenth century the townsfolk feared Native Americans and treated the few among them as outcasts. Epie's fear and dislike of Walking Breeze, and her willingness to behave unethically in order to get rid of the girl, echoes the attitudes of most white Americans at the time.

Modern readers may have difficulty understanding why American society approved of killing Native Americans, but they'll have no trouble understanding why Epie wants to get Walking Breeze out of her family and out of the house. Author Ann Rinaldi's historical fiction succeeds by personalizing history for young readers.

Her books aren't literature, but that isn't her intent. She introduces teenagers to the excitement of history. Kids who have learned to dislike history in school finally can get a sense of what it was like to live in the American past. As always, the author includes a note highlighting the history behind her books, and a bibliography.

Those who enjoy BROKEN DAYS will want to read the first book in the trilogy, A Stitch in Time, and the third book, The Blue Door.