Ellen Elizabeth Hawkins: Texas 1886 (American Diaries) [Paperback]

Kathleen Duey (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Diaries

In Texas in 1886, Ellen finds her desire to be a cattle rancher discouraged by family members who do not think it a proper choice for a girl, but she proves her worth when drought threatens the ranch.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--Living on an isolated Texas cattle ranch, Ellen, 12, aspires to be a rancher in spite of the inappropriateness of the choice for a woman of her time, as well as her father's disapproval. Drought conditions in the summer of 1886 set the stage for Ellen to prove that she is, indeed, capable of the challenges and hardships of ranching. Duey constructs a taut adventure in which the girl must conceive of a way to rescue her grandfather, seriously injured in a fall from a windmill while her father is away; secure the windmill blade; and drive many thirsty cattle back into the pastures. Each of the rapid-fire decisions she makes weighs heavily on her conscience as she reflects on what her father would have done. Undaunted, Ellen proves her love for her grandfather and for their ranch, which are the driving factors in her grit and determination to persevere against almost overwhelming odds. The author uses many details in describing life on the ranch, including terms such as "riata" and "latigo"; but, more importantly, she relates Ellen's keen sense of animal behavior in working with the horses and cattle. This satisfying story about a resourceful heroine will work well for historical fiction units.

Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689814097
• ISBN-13: 978-0689814099
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,809,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have published over 80 books for children of all ages and YA/Adult readers. Many have won state and national awards and all of them have brought me the kind of fan mail that writers love to get.

Two from today's email (Jan 27 11)
Dear Ms. Duey,

I am 8 years old and I live in Catalonia (Spain). I just finished reading your book "Moonsilver" with my mom, and I really liked it. I want to ask you, what was your dream in 3rd grade? I'm asking you because at the end of the book, it says that the series of the Unicorn's Secret books is based on a dream you had in 3rd grade. I am in third grade right now, so I'm really curious!!!
Please tell me

(writer's name)



Dear Ms. Duey,

I loved your book the Unicorn's Secret. Me and my mom read it together. I like your books because I like unicorns and your story was very exciting. I like to draw unicorns. They are one of my favorite animals. I have two stuffed animal unicorns. One is named Sparkle. I sleep with her every night. Did you always want to be a writer? Have you ever seen a real unicorn? I am in 1st grade. I love to read. When I grow up I want to be a animal trainer and I want to train unicorns if I can find one.

LOVE , (writer's name)


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YA readers are writing a lot, too. Most say something like this one:

I have been waiting for the third book in Skin Hunger trilogy forever. Ok not forever but it feels like it. When is it coming out? How long will you make me wait? I love these books and am really needing to know what happens to Sadima and Hahp!!!!!


I know, me, too. Please read below.
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If it is later than 6:30am PST, I am probably writing, even if I am on an airplane. I might be working on a faerie book or writing about unicorns for grade school kids, or I could be lost in something dark, detailed, and strange for YA/adult readers. The third book in the Resurrection of Magic Trilogy is dragging me through the woods. I am working on it every day, and am Skying instead of traveling to schools and libraries until I get it DONE. It's taking wild amazing turns and I love it.

If I am not working...I might be answering readers who contact me through my website: http://www.kathleenduey.com Thanks to everyone who gets in touch with me on Facebook, my blog, http://kathleenduey.blogspot.com/, Twitter, and all the other ways to reach me. I can't keep up anymore, but I try to answer questions and I send out signed bookplates when I can. It means so much to know that you like my books.

I appear at schools, bookstores, and teach at writers' conferences nationwide and internationally. There is a schedule on my website and I try to keep it current.
And more and more... I Skype. It's a wonderful way to meet readers in classrooms and at libraries, I love to drop in on book clubs and critique groups, then get back to work!

Book news: The Unicorn's Secret books are getting lovely new covers by Sandara Tang, an amazing artist based in Singapore. The fan mail astounds me.
Sandara is the cover artist for the new kid's series The Faerie's Promise, too. Excerpts from all my books are on http://www.kathleenduey.com

YA NOVEL ONLINE/IN PROGRESS: RUSSET fans: http://russet-one-wing.blogspot.com/
I am accumulating entries and will tag you all when there is more to read. Give me your contact info and I will add you to the alert list. kathleenduey at earthlink dot net

The third book of my YA/adult trilogy is in the works now. I don't have a release date yet because I still writing like MAD. But it will be ASAP, I promise. The story is taking amazing turns and dragging me through the woods the way the first two did. Thanks!!!! to the thousands of people asking when it will come out.

You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book!, November 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ellen Elizabeth Hawkins: Texas 1886 (American Diaries) (Paperback)

Ellen is a 12 year old girl growing up on a ranch in Texas. Her Father is gone and her Grandpa is hurt. Everything seems to be going wrong, the windmill is broken and the herd is thirsty. But that doesn't stop Ellen! She proves herself a true rancher by saving the day!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, November 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ellen Elizabeth Hawkins: Texas 1886 (American Diaries) (Paperback)

Ellen Elizabeth Hawkins lives on a ranch in 1886 Texas. She wants to be a cattle rancher when she grows up but her father and grandfather don't think that a girl can run a ranch. When her father is away during a drought and her grandfather is hurt Ellen proves herself to her father and grandfather.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about a confident girl in the old west., November 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ellen Elizabeth Hawkins: Mobeetie, Texas, 1886 (American Diaries, No 6) (Hardcover)

This is a great story about a girl in the old west, Texas. She's a strong, confident girl. She thinks she can be a rancher when she grows up, and the story is about how she proves herself to everyone around her. They don't think a girl can be a "cowboy". Hah!