Check out these book reviews from Deena. Deena was a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team who is retired. She has generously continued to share book reviews with us. Thank you, Deena!
Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller DB89267
This follows the Ingalls family leaving in a covered wagon in the winter with two little girls and going to Kansas. Caroline was pregnant with Carrie, who was born after they reached Kansas. The Ingalls family faces many challenges while living in Kansas or Indian Territory, building their cabin, Indians and the weather affecting their crops. After living in Kansas about a year, the family has to return to Wisconsin when the purchaser of their homestead was unable to pay. If you enjoyed the Little House books and/or the television show “Little House on the Prairie” you will enjoy this book of historical fiction told from Caroline’s point of view.
Rascal by Sterling North DB41595
1918: A young boy finds a baby raccoon and he trains it as a pet. He names him Rascal and he goes with him everywhere. Rascal is very curious and is fascinated by shiny objects that he collects, such as new pennies. There are several incidents where Rascal’s curiosity gets him into trouble. This book is well written and has wonderful descriptions of the animals, birds and rivers of Wisconsin. In the late 60’s this was made into a Walt Disney movie.
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel DB104197
Yona, who was stolen from her family as a child by an old woman, grows up in the forests of Poland with the old woman teaching her how to survive in the woods.
After the old woman dies, leaving Yona alone, she stumbles on a group of Jews in the forest. She becomes part of the group and teaches them what they need to know to live in the forest to escape the Nazis. The group becomes adept at avoiding the German soldiers looking for Jews who have escaped the ghettos.
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