Trouble River [Paperback]

Betsy Byars (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"Faced with the imminent danger of attack by marauding Indians while both his parents are away, twelve-year-old Dewey Martin prevails upon his grandmother to escape by means of his homemade log raft."--Booklist.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140342435
• ISBN-13: 978-0140342437
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Byars, Betsy

More About the Author

Betsy Byars began her writing career rather late in life First, she married and started a family. The writing career didn't emerge until she was 28, a mother of two children, and living in a small place she called the barracks apartment, in Urbana, Illinois. She and her husband, Ed, had moved there in 1956 so he could attend graduate school at the University of Illinois. She was bored, had no friends, and so turned to writing to fill her time. Byars started writing articles for The Saturday Evening Post, Look,and other magazines. As her family grew and her children started to read, she began to write books for young people and, fortunately for her readers, discovered that there was more to being a writer than sitting in front of a typewriter. "Once a wanderer came by my house and showed me how to brush my teeth with a cherry twig; that went in The House of WingsThe Summer of the Swans." Since that time, Byars has written more than 45 books for young readers and has won numerous awards, including The American Book Award, which she received in 1981 for The Night Swimmers. The humor, compassion, and insight Byars brings to each of her books won her a large audience of admirers both in the United States and abroad. Six of her novels were presented on national television, and her books are translated into nine languages. Six of Byars' novels have been named ALA Notable Books, and in 1971, The Summer of the Swans -- a story about a 14-year-old girl and her mentally retarded brother -- won the Newbery Award as the most distinguished contribution to literature for children in the year of its publication. Byars was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 7, 1928. Unlike many of the characters in her books, Byars grew up in a normal, loving family. Her father was an engineer and worked as a bookkeeper in a cotton mill. He was stern and hardworking and had a strong sense of humor. Her mother was a lively woman who loved acting and music. Byars's sister, Nancy, two years older, was sometimes an inspiration and sometimes an evil nemesis. Byars has always been adventurous and never allows a few setbacks to prevent her from doing things she wants to experience, like petting a blacksnake and flying planes. The snake was named Moon and became the subject of her 1991 autobiography, The Moon and I. Betsy Byars and her husband live on an air strip in South Carolina, and have traveled widely throughout the United States in pursuit of their interest in gliding and antique airplanes. They have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 Thumbs and 10 Toes Up, October 24, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Trouble River (Paperback)

Trouble River was about a young boy and his grandma. Dewey was building a raft, and he named it the Rosie B. The Indians suddenly came to their cabin, and hurt their dog, Charlie, with a tomahawk. Charlie survived, and Dewey, Grandma, and Charlie got on the raft to escape the Indians. Grandma stayed in the rocking chair on the raft during the trip. They were going to their neighbors' house, but that house was burned down too. That was not all their trouble. They were caught in dangerous rapids and chased by wolves. Finally they make it to Hunter City. Dewey's mom and dad were there because they had a brand new baby. Everyone was amazed that a 12 year old boy built such a good raft, and made it down the river.

I am a 10 year old old that loves this book because it has action, is interesting, and you never know what will happen next. So read the book and see how you like it. This book is part action, part history, and part funny.....in one whole book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A ride full of surprises, January 18, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Trouble River (Paperback)

This book is a suspenceful, wild ride. Once you start reading you would not want to put it down. The book is as crazy as the river. In the book tragedty strikes a family and the only way out is by going down a river full of wolves, rapids, and indians. Will there luck change? Will they find a safe way down the river? Read to find out in this wild ride in Trouble River.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Troble River, December 29, 2001

By 

Doglover (New Hudson, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trouble River: 2 (Paperback)

This is a very good book. Dewey and grandma are home when Dewey's
parents are in Traver city having a baby. Dewey sees an indain and him, Charlie (his dog), and grandma try to get away. They meet wolfs and much more! Will they survive? Find out in Troble River!