I Am Lavina Cumming [Hardcover]

Susan Lowell (Author), Paul Mirocha (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Drawn from the writings of the author's grandmother, the story of ten-year-old Lavina, who leaves her Arizona home in 1905 when her mother dies and heads to Santa Cruz, incorporates Indian folklore and tales of the pioneers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This ambitious first title in the Milkweed for Young Readers line introduces Lavina Cumming of the Bosque Ranch, Arizona Territory. At the turn of the century, the 10-year-old heroine must, at her father's insistence, leave her motherless home to travel alone to her aunt in Santa Cruz, Calif., where she will learn to become a lady. Although she misses her family and the wild freedom of their ranch, Lavina gradually comes to value the new experiences afforded by her aunt's household--even though that household includes "awful Aggie," a self- proclaimed precocious fourth grader. Lavina is both likable and believable, her credibility enhanced by the author's skillful use of period details, and her story is ripe with dramatic opportunities. Lowell ( The Three Little Javelinas ) weaves in tales passed down through Lavina's family, but these remain tangential, sometimes detracting from the main focus. Lavina learns that her father was married to someone else before meeting her mother, and although it rattles Lavina's trust in her father, the issue is dropped. Aside from these troubles, Lowell's work is hardy, graceful and certainly authentic: the real-life Lavina Cumming, whose journals, letters and diaries provided the story's foundation, is Lowell's grandmother. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-In 1905, 10-year-old Lavina's widowed father sends the girl to make her way from their home in the Arizona mountains to his sister in California to be educated and to learn to be a lady. Strong-willed Aunt Agnes; her wispy daughter, Maude; and Maude's spoiled daughter are much different from Lavina's five wild brothers, and the Mission School and formal dinners are far different from the outdoor, free life she left behind. Lowell presents both lives with respect; as Lavina adapts to new experiences, she shares stories about speaking Spanish at home and riding a horse to school. In fact, her camping skills come in handy after the San Francisco earthquake drives the household out into the street. Lowell's book is based on stories her grandmother told; this along with evident careful research give it a vivid sense of time and place. The strong characters develop believably towards the satisfyingly circular ending: Lavina returns to Arizona for the summer, alone again, but now with a dream for the future and two beloved homes instead of one.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 198 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915943395
• ISBN-13: 978-0915943395
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,345,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you shouldn't miss!, January 29, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: I Am Lavina Cumming (Paperback)

Lavina is a ten-year-old girl who lives at the Bosque Ranch in the Arizona territory in the early 1900's. Her mother died, and her father is sending her to live in California with her aunt. When she arrives, she steps into a whole different world. Sometimes her Aunt Agnes reminds her of her father. Her aunt has a daughter named Maude, and Maude has a daughter, Aggie, who is eight. It's hard to get along with Aggie, but Lavina makes friends at school. Lavina has a fight with her aunt one night, and she plans to run away in the morning, but something big happens before she gets the chance. This is a well-written book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Treasure, July 16, 2010

By 

jense26 - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Lavina Cumming: A Novel of the American West (Historical Fiction for Young Readers) (Paperback)

This is an awesome story that captured the real essence of life near the AZ-MX border. It is also very inspiring specially the great strength and perseverance shown by Lavina. It is very good example for every young ladies. It also showcases the natural cleverness and wisdom learned from the very unique interaction with man and nature along the beautiful landscape of Southern Arizona. Another great bonus of this novel is the authentic stories included that wrapped up the historical facts of early Southern Arizona territories. The author should be commended in having this novel. I can not wait to share this great story with other students in school.