Addie Across the Prairie [Paperback]

Laurie Lawlor (Author)

Book Description

Nobody said pionerring would be easy!

Addie's a pioneer now in the vast Dakota territory, far from her friend Eleanor and Iowa. And now she must care for her youngetst brother as Ma, Pa, and the older boys and Mr. and Mrs. Fency leave to build a home before winter comes. She's all alone with two year-old Burt when the terrifying prairie fire begins!

How can she save herslef and little Burt before the raging fire steals their home and their lives!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Apprehensive about her family's move to the Dakota Territory, a spunky girl's adventures in her new home convince her that she possesses the pioneer spirit. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5 In 1883, Addie Mills, 9, and her family are on their way to their homestead in Dakota Territory. Addie, convinced that she is not the brave, sod-busting pioneer type, is worried about all of the dangers of the trailIndians, prairie fires, rattlesnakes, and blizzards. She does encounter Indians, who ask her for food, and she realizes that they mean her no harm. She and her younger brother escape from a prairie fire. From her experiences, Addie learns that doing something courageous in spite of being frightened is what bravery is all about, and decides that she can meet the prairie's challenges. Although this story starts slowly, it does pick up and move along at a fast pace. For the most part, the writing style is average, but the fire scene is quite well done. The pen- and- ink drawings add to the book and enable readers to visualize life in a soddy. This is an easy- to-read chapter book with large print that will appeal to those children just beginning to tackle longer stories. It would be a good addition to larger collections where historical fiction on this level is in demand. Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multonomah County Library, Portland, Oreg.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671701479
• ISBN-13: 978-0671701475
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,035,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a vivid description of the tall grass prairie, August 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Addie Across the Prairie (Paperback)

Addie across the Prairie is an excellent book for children interested in their heritage or wanting to learn more about the lives of pioneers. It gives accurate descriptions of plants found on the tall grass prairie and the characteristics of a sod house. It includes the emotional element that all pioneer families must have felt when they left family and friends behind but yet emphasized why settlers moved to these remote places - for opportunities to improve the standard of living for their families. It also showed the work and responsibility that was required of young people during that era. I highly recommend it as out-of-classroom reading for students studying American History.

5.0 out of 5 stars good historical fiction, March 4, 2010

By 

Wayne S. Walker "Home School Book Review" (Salem, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Addie Across the Prairie (Paperback)

In 1883, nine-year-old Addie must unhappily and reluctantly move, with her parents, younger brothers George, Lew, and Burt, and baby sister Nellie May, away from her home in Sabula, IA, and her friend Eleanor, to Pa's new claim in the Dakota Territory, right next to an Indian reservation. After braving the trip, she must care for her youngest brother as Ma, Pa, the older boys and their new friends Mr. and Mrs. Fency leave to build a home before winter comes. She is all alone with two year-old Burt when a terrifying prairie fire begins! How can she save herself and little Burt before the raging fire steals their home and their lives? And will she be able to adjust to life on the prairie?
This is good historical fiction about how moving with their families from settled areas to the prairie wilderness affected children. The book has some sibling rivalry and sparring, where Addie's brother George teases her and she replies, "I hate you," but this is part of the plot that is eventually resolved in a satisfactory way. I especially liked the occasional reference to trusting in the Lord and the use of the hymn "Beulah Land." The only objectionable item is a reference to tobacco use. Trained as a journalist, author Laurie Lawlor, worked for many years as a free-lance writer and editor before devoting herself full-time to the creation of children's books. She enjoys many speaking engagements at schools and libraries, and her books have been nominated for many awards. She lives in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband, son, daughter, and two large Labrador retrievers. This book is part of the American Sisters series.

5.0 out of 5 stars From a satisfied customer, July 6, 2007

By 

Helen M. Cotton "Helen Cotton, retired presch... (Boston MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Addie Across the Prairie (Hardcover)

My granddaughter said it arrived promptly and in good condition and she likes it very much.