Customer Reviews

Grasshopper Summer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Grasshopper Summer by Ann Turner is about Sam, a boy, who was quite happy where he was in Kentucky. Then his father decided to move the family west to start a new life in Dakota Territory. Sam's younger brother Billy was excited about the idea, but Sam hated it. Sam never thought of leaving his grandparents, and friends.

It was after the Civil War, and Sam's father was having a tough time without slaves so he decided to move his family to Dakota Territory. When Sam and his family had to move north his father wanted them to start getting used to not having slaves. Sam never thought of meeting people along the way. The family worked hard to make their dugout house. They worked through the weeks and gathered seed.

Sam started to see things a little differently and started to like the west. This book is good for people who like to read about survival after the Civil War.

Becca a 6th grader

A character from Grasshopper Summer by Anna Turner was Sam. Sam had some problems. One was that his family was moving. Then grasshoppers came and ate all their crops. Sam's friend wrote to George Washington for blankets and food. Sam wrote to his grandfather for the same reason.

They needed blankets so they could stay warm. They also had a shortage of blankets. So they could stay warm, because winter was coming soon. They needed food because grasshoppers came and ate most of their crops. They also could not grow crops because it was too late because of winter. They wrote to Washington and Sam's grandfather for some food and blankets. So they could survive winter, and they could stay healthy.

This book was better then I thought. I think this book was ok. This book was country related. So if you like country things you should read this book. Also remember never judge a book by its cover.

Danny a sixth grader

This book really captures the feeling of the times when pioneers thought moving westward would make them a profit. It helps the reader understand the trials and tribulations of moving westward. The killing of a colt to the grasshopper invasion real grips the reader. The charactes being approximately the age of a fifth or sixth grader really helps youngsters who read this book to make a personal connection. It also helps the reader understand the role of the father, mother, and children during the late 1800s. Furthermore, it shows them although slavery has ended, how many still felt the African American still had his place. From crossing the mighty Mississippi River, to going to the Dakota Terriotory, this book truly captures the time and events of an interesting period in American history.

The year is 1874. Sam White is living in Kentucky with his parents, his little brother Billy, and their grandparents. The Civil War is over, but Sam's father and grandfather are still upset over the result. Sam's father, especially, is bothered by any reminder of it, such as the farm where they live, which was burned by the Yankees. He decides that he needs to get away from these reminders.

So, Sam's parents pack themselves and Sam and Billy into a wagon and they take off for the uninhabited West. They are moving toward the Dakota territories, where they have heard the land is great for growing crops and anyone can get rich.

Sam is unhappy about leaving, and frustrated with Billy, who has a sunny disposition and always seems to be in a good mood about whatever is happening. But as they move farther away into the unknown, Sam and Billy begin to get along better. When they do make it to Dakota, though, there is more trouble waiting for them.

I liked the detailed descriptions of life--how the family's wagon was packed, what the people ate, and how they built a house, among other things. I also liked how Sam's mother and father related to each other and to their boys. I didn't like Sam's overwhelming jealousy toward Billy. I thought he treated Billy unfairly because of it.

Sam's father decides to take the family to Dakota Terrotory for a new life.But Sam hates the idea of leaving his friends,grandparents for a new life.The hard journey to Dakota Terrotory doesn't compare to the surprises that await Sam and his family.