Steamboat in a Cornfield [Hardcover]

John Hartford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 1986 | Age Level: 8 and up

A rhyming text describes an incident on the Ohio River in 1910 in which the steamboat Virginia went aground in a cornfield.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up Country singer John Hartford's book tells of a true incident in the life of an Ohio River steamboat, c. 1910. The boat, the Virginia , was subject to the rather fickle nature of the river at that time and ended up beached in a cornfield. The story is told with some background about the river in the days before locks and dams existed to help regulate it. Readers, through Hartford's ballad-like poem, learn about the hard times faced by this particular steamboat company which pressured the captain to make an ill-advised venture. Through the use of old photos and maps, readers can see the steamboat both inside and out and trace its route. The accomplishment of what was seemingly an impossible taskto refloat the steamboatis documented and reveals a fair amount of suspense. At the end of the book there is a coda that fills in what happened to the principal players in the story. This unusual book will have appeal for those with a passion for steamboats, and, with its non-intimidating format and sparse text, it may win over other young history buffs. All in all, an interesting look at a heretofore unrecorded incident in the history of our country. Patricia Homer, Lowville School, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (October 14, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517561417
• ISBN-13: 978-0517561416
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,328,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Steamboat in a Cornfield, May 15, 2010

By 

Tennessee Slim "Grassfan" (Bristol,TN.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Steamboat in a Cornfield (Hardcover)

This is a simply told story as only John could tell it. I had the pleasure of knowing John in his last years and so i am a fan of all things Hartford.
I could be a bit biased, but it was a quick entertaining read. It'll at least make you chuckle.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, January 13, 2010

By 

Daryl W. Mccullough "Parannoyed" (Northern PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steamboat in a Cornfield (Hardcover)

I'm continually amazed with John Hartford. What a unique and artistic individual, and this book is no exception. While it is geared towards kids, it holds enough in it to please any adult with a childlike curiosity. It's a neat story, it's written in a poetic way, and it captures a part of America that unfortunately has passed into the pages of history. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steamboat in a Cornfield by John Hartford, September 30, 2009

By 

M. Laehn "tamlthorne" (Centerville, IA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steamboat in a Cornfield (Hardcover)

This book is simplistic for the reader but the photos that it contains of an actual, true to life, steamboat are PRICELESS. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone who collects steamboat memorabilia.