I'm Sorry, Almira Ann [Hardcover]

Jane Kurtz (Author), Susan Havice (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999 | Age Level: 9 and up

Sarah felt safe and snug holding hands under the quilt with Almira Ann. Then a crack of thunder split the air, sounding like it would crash the top of the wagon down on them all.

The day has finally come. Sarah and her family have packed their covered wagon and set out from Missouri, heading west to Oregon for a new life on fertile soil. Fortunately for Sarah, her best friend, Almira Ann and her family are also making the wagon train journey along the Oregon Trail. If only Sarah can manage to "mind her hasty spirit," as Grandma always says, things will be easier for everyone.

Difficult weather conditions and unexpected troubles on the trail lead to long delays in the journey. Try as she might, Sarah can't always keep to the rules. But when Sarah accidentally causes Almira Ann to fall from the wagon and break her leg, she knows her hasty spirit has gone too far. Now Almira Ann must ride the rest of the way with her leg in a pine box splint. How will Sarah ever make it up to her?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The journey, rather than the destination, is the focal point of this amiable tale of the Oregon Trail. Traveling west, eight-year-old Sarah and her best friend, Almira Ann, encounter typical pioneer challenges, from fierce rainstorms to a lost cow. Kurtz's (The Storyteller's Beads) approach, however, is much more individualistic than in many such stories. The lost cow, for example, turns out to be stuck in a ravine; when all else fails, holes are bored in its horns and a rope threaded through them, and the cow is tugged upward to safety (an end note cites a historical precedent). Sarah is a spunky heroine, not without flaws. She can't help comparing herself to Almira Ann and being a little jealous of her skills (plus a little envious of Almira Ann's fancy doll). Her envy inspires her to play a trick on Almira Ann that has dire consequences--Almira Ann breaks her leg, and there seems no way to set it. Somehow Sarah must find a way to make amends. Kurtz enlivens this believable tale of friendship, forgiveness and adventure with snappy dialogue and colorful prose, and she splices in period details nearly undetectably. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In this novel, Kurtz successfully captures the adventure and hardships of life on the Oregon Trail. Eight-year-old Sarah Benton's family is heading West. Unfortunately, the girl's "hasty spirit" seems to get her in trouble at every turn of the trail, especially with her best friend, Almira Ann. On a whim, Sarah climbs high up Chimney Rock to carve their names on the famous trail landmark, frightening her friend with her daring. She trades a rag doll from Almira Ann for coveted beads from a young Sioux girl. Finally, in an exuberant wrestling match, Sarah scares Almira Ann, causing her to fall out of the back of the wagon and break her leg. How can a friendship survive such setbacks? The dirty, often treacherous experiences of traveling in a wagon train make an excellent backdrop for the turbulent friendship. Historical tidbits of pioneer life are peppered throughout the text, adding detail without bogging down the plot. Sarah is an engaging character, and readers will readily identify with her tribulations. Havice's light pencil sketches, one per chapter, lend a familiar, friendly feeling. This is a perfect title for exploring pioneer life before jumping into Laura Ingalls Wilder's longer "Little House" books (HarperCollins).
Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805060944
• ISBN-13: 978-0805060942
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,719,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, but when she was two years old, her parents decided to move to Ethiopia, where she spent most of her childhood. She didn't live in the United States for more than a couple of year-long visits (in Boise and Pasadena) until she started college, feeling like an awkward outsider. Her books set in Ethiopia have helped her give glimpses into the land of her childhood.

Now Jane speaks about being an author at schools and conferences--in all but eleven of the United States, so far, and such places as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, France, Germany, Romania, England, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Japan. Her travels have put her in touch with all kinds of kids who are changing the world, one kid at a time, something her idealistic parents made her also want to do. Thus she helped start Ethiopia Reads (www.ethiopiareads.org), a nonprofit that is planting the first libraries for children in Ethiopia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, much needed middle-grade Oregon Trail novel., November 9, 1999

By 

Laura Manthey - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I'm Sorry, Almira Ann (Hardcover)

Jane Kurtz's newest book truly fulfills the need for accurate historical fiction for the middle grade reader. The story of Sarah and Almira Ann, two best friends, as they travel the Oregon Trail with their families moves quickly and should draw in even the most reluctant reader. Sarah rapidly moves from one adventure to another, some with unfortunate consequences. When Almira Ann is injured as a result of Sarah's actions, it is easy to identify with Sarah as she struggles to deal with her feelings. Susan Havice's soft pencil illustrations and colorful cover add to the warmth of the book. This is a great transition book for student s who are moving from easy chapter books to novels. Also, as an elementary school librarian, I am so pleased to be able to offer this little gem of a book to students who must choose a book "over 100 pages" for their next book report.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book That You Should Read, November 30, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: I'm Sorry, Almira Ann (Paperback)

I'm Sorry Almira Ann is a wonderful book about a young girl named Sarah . Sarah and her family are traveling on the Oregon Trail from Missouri on a covered wagon with a group of other covered wagons . Sarah's best freind,Almira Ann , is also traveling with the group and with her family . But if only Sarah's , hasty spirit would just leave the trip would be alot easier for everyone. But Sarah can't quite keep the hasty spirit from causing her to disobey the rules . Along the way Sarah accidentally causes Almira Ann to fall from her wagon , and when she does she breaks her leg . Sarah knows she needs to control her hasty spirit . If you enjoy historical fiction you should enjoy this book.