Customer Reviews

Danny and Life on Bluff Point - Book 4: The Man on the Train

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Danny is learning about responsibility as he also enjoys being a 10-year old boy. He learns through his mistakes and continues to try to think about the consequences of his actions before getting himself into trouble. Sometimes it works, sometimes he still gets into a mess but all in all he is growing more mature.
All of the author's books portray lessons to be learned along with the local history she presents as background and scenery for her stories.

I bought this series for my son as we live near Bluff Point. I pre-read them for content. "Life on Bluff Point" books are great reading on many levels. There is a bit of history, as well as daily life and lessons to be learned with in these pages. You do not have to be a local person to enjoy Dannys journals. My son liked the family dynamics of this era, with its joys and conflicts and I liked the many subtle lessons on good behavior. Reading about the daily chores and responsibilities of the children was an eye opener for my ten year old, as was the fact that all these years later, boys will still be boys.
This series will promote great family discussions, read them with your kids

Life in the Finger Lakes review--Laurel C. Wemett
This title is the fourth in a series of well-crafted novels about a 10-year old boy's life in 19th century rural Yates County, NY. Starting with "Danny and Life on Bluff Point", set in December of 1894, the series is based on the life of the author's grandparents, father, and his sisters. When entering her grandfather's journal into her word processor, the author decided to write a historical novel based on it. That is how the "Danny" series began.

Danny is the only boy in the family and therefore expected to help on the family's fruit and livestock farm, but is hampered by his small frame and lack of strength. The stories show how he overcomes his physical limitations by his determination to contribute to the well-being of his family. The events of this book are set in March of 1895 and focus on such activities as iceboating and a first train ride.

While these novels are written for 8 - 12-year-olds, reading them aloud will creat a dialogue between grandparents and children about the things the older generation did while growing up. The books are well-researched and would lend themselves to a school curriculum that includes local or American history. While set largely on Bluff Point, that peninsula between the two branches of Keuka Lake, the situations described are similar to rural family life anywhere. Adventures pitting young Danny against a danger, whether a strong wind on the frozen lake or an evil man who terrorizes his younger sister on the train, add excitement and will appeal to young readers.

This the fourth in the series about Danny growing up on a vineyard/farm at Keuka Lake in New York State. This book is set in the year 1895, at the end of winter with spring in the air. Spring thaws have created danger for the ice boaters and Danny must be extra careful as his young sister is riding with him.

Danny is now 10 years old and at crossroads in his life desiring more responsibility. The book portrays the physical and financial hardships of the times as well as the dynamics of family life, from love and support through the inevitable disagreements.

It is an emotionally sad time for the family as the Grandparents are moving away, creating the need to experience both ferry and steam car excursions. Danny's instincts about an evil man on the train pay off and he saves his young sister from harm. Along with all of his other chores, Danny accepts the responsibility of raising the goats his Grandparents give to him. He is excited because he is aware of his parent's financial burden and he can make some money from the goats.

The author, Mary Ellen Lee has a keen interest in the Finger Lakes Region as her family has lived there for four generations. Some of the stories are actually based on her own Grandfather's journals as well as the in depth research that she does. She has undertaken an important role in the education of young readers. Children 8 - 12 years can expect an enjoyable history lesson by reading this series and learn how much life has evolved since the 1890s. An excellent youth series.